Arizona Mediation Institute welcomes Judge Bruce R. Cohen (ret.) as of January 1, 2025. This follows his 19+ years as a Superior Court Judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court, which began in May 2005. He served a family court assignment for six years (four of which as Associate Presiding Family Court Judge) and from June 2019 through June 2023 as Presiding Judge of the Family Department of the Court.

Bruce graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in Psychology in 1978 and earned his J. D. at Arizona State University – now known as the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Prior to going on the bench, Bruce was in private practice for 24 years. He was a certified specialist in Family Law, served on the Family Law Board of Legal Specialization for the State Bar of Arizona and was a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Bruce co-authored legislation adopted in Arizona on parent information programs and adoption of special needs children and during his time on the bench, Bruce served on numerous committees, boards and task forces working to update the Arizona Supreme Court Child Support Guidelines and codify family law rules for Arizona. Judge Cohen worked on committees focusing on domestic violence, professionalism, access to justice, upgrading spousal maintenance guidelines for the state and numerous parent focused initiatives – all relating to and improving family law practice.

Bruce also worked with the National Conference for State Courts and ASU to develop the Families in Transition Program (“FIT”). Judge Cohen’s contribution to family law in Arizona and nationally is legendary. Bruce has received numerous awards in recognition of his amazing service to the practice and to the Courts. We couldn’t be happier to welcome him to Arizona Mediation Institute to continue to serve our community in mediation, special master work and arbitration.