West Valley Magazine’s November Shaker, Norman J. Davis
Posted on 22. Nov, 2011 by trish in West Valley 24
Judge Davis, a West Valley resident for the past 35 years, and currently the Presiding Judge of Maricopa County has quite a bit under his belt. Not only does he have a wife and four children, but 11 grandchildren all vying for his attention, but has to ensure the protection of freedom within the court. He received his B.S. degree in accounting from Brigham Young University in 1972; and his J.D. degree for Arizona State University in 1975, where he served as Managing Editor of the Arizona State Law Journal.
Davis practiced general law for 19 years in the West Valley prior to his appointment to the Maricopa County Superior Court bench in June 1995 for Davis & Layton, P.C. of which he was a founding partner. His focus was in the areas of civil litigation, family law, bankruptcy, criminal law, estate planning, probate, real estate and commercial transactions
Since Judge Davis has served in not only the family, but, civil, criminal, probate, and juvenile departments of the court. Judge David was even given the honor of acting as Presiding Judge of the Northwest Regional Court from July 2002 to January 2004, as well as Presiding Judge of Family Court from June 2004 to June 2007, and Presiding Judge of Juvenile Court from June 2009 until March, 2010.
Judge Davis has served on numerous court committees, including the Court’s Pro Tem Committee, Commissioner Nomination Committee, Chair of the Self-Service Center Advisory Committee, and the eCourt Development Team. He was also a member of the Court’s Executive Committee from July 2002 to June 2007. Additionally he has served as a member of the Supreme Court Committee on Superior Court, Committee on Rules of Procedure in Domestic Relations Cases, Family Law Rules Review Committee, and the Child Support Committee. Despite
Judge Davis is very active in the community as well, he is a past member of the Agua Fria High School Board that got excellent Academic Excellence A+ Awards. He is also a past member and President of the Litchfield Elementary School Board and was even a member of the Estrella Rotary Club. Judge Davis also developed a pilot project to streamline family court procedures to reduce litigation and stress in family court disputes. His favorite place in the whole West Valley is Litchfield Park where he spends his time participating in the community, and with his wife. “I have a great fondness for the West Valley where my wife and I raised our family in a tranquil and supportive environment, where I started my legal career, and where I’ve come to develop friendships with a great number of wonderfully genuine and caring people.’ said Judge Davis. “My wife has been incredibly supportive and influential and made it possible for me to focus on my career. My maternal grandparents taught me the skills to be personally and professionally successful and demonstrated them with their incredible example.”
Years in West Valley: 35 years
Family: Wife: Sherry; 4 adult children; 11 grandchildren.
Who are and have been some of your mentors? My maternal grandparents, Judge Kimball Rose, Justice Charles E. Jones, Judge Barry Schneider.
What are some of the leadership positions directly you have taken on in the West Valley and what did you accomplish? Northwest Regional Superior Court Presiding Judge; assisted in planning and opening of new regional superior court center in Surprise & served as judge at that court; President & Member of Litchfield Elementary School District Board; New middle school built during this time, and schools received academic A+ excellence awards. Also member, Agua Fria Union High School Board, and involved in church leadership and scouting for many years.
Name a project in which you took a leadership role in that you are particularly proud of and why? While serving at the Northwest Regional Court Center in Surprise I developed a pilot project to streamline family court procedures to reduce litigation and stress in family court disputes that was subsequently adopted court-wide, and its concepts included in new statewide rules of procedure.
Favorite quote: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” –Abraham Lincoln
Who in history would you most like to have dinner with? My father who passed away when I was 2-years-old.
What’s your favorite book? “The Count of Monte Cristo” because it opened my mind to the importance of reading and learning as a teenager.
What you miss most? Political civility and cooperation.
What’s your biggest inspiration and why? My maternal grandparents. My grandmother taught me how to read at a young age and the importance of giving my best in everything I did. My grandfather taught me the meaning and joy of hard work. Both left an incredible legacy of honor, integrity and industry in the way they lived their lives that I envy.
What do you know about life that you wish you had known 10 to 20 years ago? Life seems to accelerate as you get older, and it is important to make good use of every day and hour.
What is your favorite place/feature in the West Valley? Litchfield Park where my wife and I raised our 4 children in association with great friends and neighbors.
What is your favorite cause? Helping to preserve our freedoms by working to provide fair and equal justice to every person. We have a judicial and governing system that exists to serve the people, and it is extremely important that everyone is protected by and subject to the rule of law.
Most overrated virtue: No true virtue can be overrated.
What would your super power be? The ability to leap tall curbs in a single bound.
Describe yourself as a child: I was very shy and mischievous.
What keeps you up at night? Bad food and creeping age, but not much else.
What’s your favorite food? Whatever my wife fixes.
What is your biggest pet peeve? Narcissism.
What would you choose to do, career wise, if you weren’t in your current career? I would have loved to be in the garage with Steve Jobs.
What would you do if you won the lottery? Continue to do what I’m doing now.
Greatest Extravagance: Probably our cabin up north.
Tell us something about you that perhaps the average person wouldn’t know? Several years ago, I persuaded my family to assist in building a cabin. Being only able to work on it on Saturdays, holidays and vacations, it took the better part of 4 years, but we completed it. The best part is every member of the family, including the young grandchildren, have taken ownership in what they built and all look forward to spending time there.
What originally drew you to the West Valley? I moved to the West Valley to start a law firm.
How did you get into your current career field? After 20 years of the general practice of law in the West Valley, I applied through the merit selection process and was fortunate to be selected by the Governor for an appointment to the Superior Court bench in 1995.
What drives you? Somewhere in my DNA is the need to strive for excellence and make a difference. Probably a result of the tremendous legacy taught to me by my grandparents.
What are your goals (career, personal or for the West Valley)? As Presiding Judge of the 4th largest trial court in the nation, I work in an environment that expects, and frequently achieves, excellence. My goal is for out court to continue to be the best trial court in the country, make the court system accessible and user-friendly to everyone, and through the use of technology and innovation, streamline court processes and reduce their cost wherever possible.
What is the secret to your success? Hard work, collaboration, consensus building, and a willingness to take risks.
What would you recommend to people looking to make a difference in the West Valley? I would recommend they get involved in their community in whatever endeavor they are passionate about.
