Opinion: The truth about Kate Hackett King

As Arizonans head to the polls, they deserve to know the true character of our state’s youngest female Supreme Court Justice.

Reflecting on my 28 years of practicing law in Arizona, I consider myself to be enormously fortunate for many reasons – one of which is that I’ve had the privilege of working with and coming to know Arizona Supreme Court Justice Kathryn (“Kate”) Hackett King. 

Through my relationship with Kate, I have seen first-hand how skillfully she not only manages – but embraces her responsibilities, as a brilliant lawyer, reliable friend, talented colleague, engaged community member, and most of all, as a loving and involved mother.

Family, service, and integrity have always been paramount to Kate. She was inspired to go to law school by her father, who practiced law in Arizona for 47 years, earning a reputation as a gentleman of the highest personal honor. He often told her and her two brothers to “go out and help somebody today.” It’s a call Kate has followed. Not only has she served the public in the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government, she has also found time to serve as a volunteer lawyer, providing free legal services to those unable to afford counsel. The call to help others has also led Kate to mentor and support women. She routinely hosts, attends and participates in events sponsored by the Arizona Women Lawyers Association, an organization she has been part of throughout her career. 

And in the model of another great Arizona justice, Sandra Day O’Connor, Kate is passionate about the idea that children in our community should become engaged citizens. She frequently speaks about the law and government to high school and college-aged students, and she organizes tours of the Arizona Supreme Court for elementary school students every year. 

I am often asked how she manages it all. The fact is, Kate does what many mothers do. She makes lunches, coordinates extracurricular schedules, helps with homework, volunteers in the classroom, cheers for her kids at games, and navigates the often-unpredictable landscape of raising two children. Her home rings with laughter and bustles with the chaos and energy of a young family. 

Yet despite the competition for her time and focus, I have never seen Kate compromise her principles or lose her composure. She works tirelessly, pursuing justice with clarity, integrity and the highest ethical standards. No matter how complex or intense the issue, no matter the scrutiny upon her, Kate acts with fidelity to the law. 

Her professional character is a direct reflection of her personal character. Kate is kind, humble, empathetic and thoughtful. She is a generous friend, a caring mother, a supportive wife and a fierce protector. If you are in her orbit, you feel valued, heard and loved.  

When voters head to the polls in November, they may wonder over the character of those on the ballot. I am honored to know one of those names. Kathryn Hackett King is a brilliant, responsible, ethical lawyer and a kind, generous, loving mother and friend. I can’t think of a better public servant, member of our community, or person of integrity to serve on Arizona’s highest court than her. 

Christine Burns is a partner at the Phoenix law firm, BurnsBarton PLC. She

is a friend and former law partner with Justice King.