Judge Joan Sinclair: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Maricopa County Superior Court, Department 911

Appointed By: Gov. Janice K. Brewer

Biography

Hon. Joan Sinclair is a judge for the Maricopa County Superior Court in Arizona. She was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jan Brewer in August 2012.

During her judicial tenure, Sinclair has held assignments in the Family, Criminal, Civil, and Juvenile Courts.

Prior to her appointment, she spent six years as a commissioner of the Maricopa County Superior Court (2006 to 2012). Before joining the bench, Sinclair spent time in private practice. She practiced as an attorney at Dodge, Anderson, Mableson, Steiner, Jones & Horowitz, Ltd. (2003 to 2006) and Meagher & Geer (2002 to 2003).

She received a B.A. in history from LeMoyne College in 1983. Sinclair went on to complete a J.D. at the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School in 1986. She was admitted to practice in Georgia (1988), Arizona (1995), and New York (1995).

After graduating from law school, she worked in Atlanta, Georgia, as a regional staff attorney in the Social Security Disability Litigation Unit of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (1987 to 1988) and as assistant regional counsel in the Federal Highway Administration with the United States Department of Transportation (1988 to 1989).

Sinclair later became an assistant solicitor in the DeKalb County Juvenile Court, where she remained until 1995 (1989 to 1995). Then, after relocating to Arizona, she briefly worked as a legal intern in the Criminal Division of the Office of the City Attorney in Tucson (1995 to 1996) before becoming a deputy county attorney with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in 1996.

Following her three-year tenure there, Sinclair went on to serve as a staff attorney with the Arizona Death Penalty Judicial Assistance Program (1999 to 2001) and spent two years as a law clerk to the Hon. Charles E. Jones, Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court (1999 to 2001).

Her memberships have included the State Bar of Arizona, the Arizona Women Lawyers Association, the Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court, and the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice. Sinclair also sat as a member of the State Bar of Arizona’s Criminal Jury Instructions Committee and Employment and Labor Law Section.

Recent Cases by Hon. Joan Sinclair

Lisa Salinas vs Gilbert R Salinas

On August 12, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Aug 12, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 13, 2026

Trang Thi Kim Tran vs Henry Nguyen

On August 11, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Aug 11, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 13, 2026

Angelo Laurencio Samaniego vs Briseida Cabrera

On August 11, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Aug 11, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 12, 2026

Jared Bob Delariman vs Laura Mary Gibson

On August 7, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Aug 07, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 11, 2026

Anthony Simon vs Danielle Rene Simon

On August 6, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Aug 06, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 08, 2026

Denara Danala Duncan vs Wyatt Grissom

On August 4, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Aug 04, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 06, 2026

Miriam Robles Villar vs Richard Morris Challoner

On August 3, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Aug 03, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 04, 2026

Savannah Lynn East vs Matthew Omana

On July 31, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 31, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 03, 2026

Andrea Etienne vs Jesse Dall

On July 31, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 31, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 04, 2026

Mary D Pizana vs Mart Pizana

On July 30, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 30, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 03, 2026

Kendra Ferrales Casimiro vs Moises Arrocha Pavon

On July 29, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 29, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 30, 2026

Vanessa Nicole Munoz vs Jesus Espinoza

On July 29, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 29, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 30, 2026

Carmen A Loaiza vs Cesar Juan Marrufo

On July 28, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 28, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 30, 2026

Laurel Ann Panday vs Dhani Prasad Panday

On July 27, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 27, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 29, 2026

Amanda Renee Blick vs Michael Edwin Gibbons

On July 24, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 24, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 25, 2026

Matthew Julian Vehrs vs Savannah Mackenzie Vehrs

On July 24, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 24, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 29, 2026

Francisco Vega vs Mariela Vega

On July 22, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 22, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 23, 2026

Angelica Duran-Reyes vs Tobit Armando Zavala Vazquez

On July 22, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 22, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 23, 2026

Maria Christine Moreno vs Juan D Moreno Rodriguez

On July 20, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 24, 2026

Destiny Renae Nasr vs Christopher Darnell Kahey

On July 20, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 21, 2026

Drake Hoban vs Bonnie Anne Clyde Kenson

On July 17, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 17, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 20, 2026

Ashley Kathleen Evenson vs Demetrio Reyes

On July 16, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 16, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 17, 2026

Daniel Lyman vs Jennifer Winthers

On July 16, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 16, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 18, 2026

Maria Valentina Montero Porte vs Cesar Augusto Liendo Barrios

On July 13, 2026 a family court with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Joan Sinclair presiding.

Filed

Jul 13, 2026

Judge

Hon. Joan Sinclair 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Joan Sinclair

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Court With Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 14, 2026

About

Joan Sinclair
Current Appointment Maricopa County Superior Court, Department 911	Maricopa County Superior Court, Department 911
Election/Appointment November 6, 2018 - Re-elected November 4, 2014 - Re-elected	November 6, 2018 - Re-elected November 4, 2014 - Re-elected
Education J.D., State University of New York at Buffalo Law School - 1986 B.A., LeMoyne College - 1983	J.D., State University of New York at Buffalo Law School - 1986 B.A., LeMoyne College - 1983

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	AZ - Maricopa County Superior Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (602) 372-5375
Office:	+1 (602) 372-4553

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	Maricopa County Superior Court	Maricopa County, Arizona
Commissioner	Maricopa County Superior Court	Maricopa County, Arizona
Attorney	Anderson, Mableson, Steiner, Jones & Horowitz, Ltd.	Maricopa County, Arizona
Attorney	Meagher & Geer	Maricopa County, Arizona
Law Clerk	Arizona Supreme Court with the Hon. Charles E. Jones	Maricopa County, Arizona
Staff Attorney	Arizona Death Penalty Judicial Program	Maricopa County, Arizona
Deputy County Attorney	Maricopa County Attorney's Office	Maricopa County, Arizona
Legal Intern	Tucson Office of the City Attorney	Pima County, Arizona
Assistant Solicitor	DeKalb County Juvenile Court	DeKalb County, Georgia
Assistant Regional Counsel	Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of Transportation	Fulton County, Georgia
Regional Staff Attorney	Social Security Disability Litigation Unit, United States Department of Health and Human Services	Fulton County, Georgia