Bio

In memoriam: John Bouma, former firm chair, passed away on January 22, 2019 after a long and distinguished legal career and a record of outstanding service to his community. He was an honorable advocate on behalf of his clients, endeavored to be fair, demonstrated a genuine respect for all, worked to elevate the standards of the profession and did so with humility and integrity. We will miss our friend, colleague and mentor.
Education
- University of Iowa (J.D., with highest honors, 1960)
- Order of the Coif
- Editor-in-Chief, Iowa Law Review
- University of Iowa (B.A., with high honors, 1958)
- Phi Beta Kappa
Professional Memberships and Activities
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- Special Problems in the Administration of Justice Committee (1988-1994, 2006-2008)
- Access to Justice Committee, Chair (1994-1997)
- State Chairman for Arizona (1989-1990)
- American Bar Association
- Arizona Delegate (1989-1998, 2014-present)
- Delegate-at-Large (2001-2013)
- Board of Governors (1998-2001)
- Litigation Trial Attorney Advisory Board (2010-2016)
- Standing Committee on Meetings & Travel (2008-2011)
- Section of Litigation
- Resource Committee, Co-Chair (2013-2014)
- Professional Liability Litigation Committee (2010-2012)
- Corporate Counsel Committee, Billing and Budgeting Subcommittee, Vice Chair (1983-1998)
- Standing Committee on Bar Activities and Services, Chair (1991-1993)
- Special Committee on Governance (1993-1995)
- Ad Hoc Committee on State Justice Initiative (1995-1997)
- Dispute Resolution Section, Mediation Committee, Vice Chair (1993-1998)
- Pro Bono Council (1996-present)
- Task Force on Image of the Profession (2004)
- ABA Journal, Editorial Board (1996-1998)
- Attorneys' Liability Assurance Society (ALAS)
- Board of Directors (1986-2007), Chairman (2002-2004)
- American Law Institute, Life Member (1994-present)
- National Conference of Bar Presidents, President (1989-1990)
- Western States Bar Conference, President (1989-1990)
- State Bar of Arizona, President (1983-1984)
- Arizona Bar Foundation, President (1987-1988)
- Maricopa County Bar Association, President (1977-1978)
- Phoenix Association of Defense Counsel, President (1970-1971)
- American Inn of Court XVIII, Master Member
- Arizona State University Law Society, Board of Directors, President (1997-2000)
- Iowa Law School Foundation, Board of Trustees (1986-2003), Vice-President (1996-2003)
- CPR Institute
- Panel of Distinguished Mediators/Neutrals
- Editorial Board, Alternatives
- American Arbitration Association
- Complex Cases Panel and Roster of Neutrals (1992-2012)
Representative Presentations and Publications
- "Serving at the Pleasure of My Partners: Advice to the New Firm Leader," Contributing Author, Thomson Reuters (2011)
- "Practices of a Successful Negotiator," Chapter Author, Inside the Minds: Preparing for Alternate Dispute Resolution Cases, Aspatore Books (2007)
- "Investigation of the Case," Chapter Co-Author, Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts, 2nd Edition (2006)
- "Alternative Dispute Resolution," Arizona Business Magazine (Fall 1993)
- "ADR Part of the Practice at Snell & Wilmer," Corporate Legal Times (September 1993)
- "Summary Judgment in Arizona: A Call for a New Standard," Co-Author, Arizona Attorney (March 1990)
Feature Articles
- "After Long & Strong Leadership Record, Snell & Wilmer Chair to Step Down," Of Counsel, Vol. 33, No. 2 (December 2014)
- "Bouma Rings in Snell & Wilmer's 75th Year," Phoenix Business Journal (December 13, 2013)
- "Veteran Phoenix Lawyer Raising Arizona's Defense," The National Law Journal (July 12, 2010)
- "Hot Shot In Sun City," American Lawyer (July 1982)
Professional Recognition and Awards
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business®, Litigation: General Commercial (2005-2018)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Arbitration, Antitrust Litigation, Banking & Finance Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Mediation, Real Estate Litigation, Securities Litigation (1983-2019)
- Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, AZ Business Magazine (2018)
- Southwest Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation (2007-2018)
- Top 50 in Arizona (2007-2009, 2011, 2017)
- Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star – Arizona, Antitrust, General Commercial, Appellate, Professional Liability, Product Liability, Energy and Natural Resources, (2013-2018)
- Lawdragon Top 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2005-2006, 2010-2016)
- Hall of Fame (2016)
- AZ Business Leaders in Law, AZ Big Media (2016)
- Lawyer of the Year, Phoenix Banking & Finance Litigation (2013)
- Judicial Branch Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service, Arizona Supreme Court (2015)
- Gold 'n Gavel Amicus Award, ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (2015)
- Iowa Law's 150, University of Iowa College of Law's Top 150 Alumni (2015)
- Distinguished Service Award, Arizona Association of Defense Counsel (2014)
- Ranking Arizona: The Best of Arizona Attorneys, Alternative Dispute Resolution; Commercial Litigation (2010-2011)
- America's Most Honored Professionals, American Registry (2011)
- Foundation for Justice Award, Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education (2011)
- Most Admired CEOs, The Business Journal (2010)
- Distinguished Honorary Alumni, The University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law (May 15, 2010)
- Arizona's Top Lawyers, Arizona Business Magazine (2010)
- Iowa Law Review Distinguished Alumni Award (2009)
- Maricopa County Bar Association Hall of Fame, Inaugural Induction (2008)
- Center of Influence Award, Arizona Business Magazine (October 2008)
- John J. Bouma Scholarship, established by University of Arizona College of Law (2008)
- Power Players, The Business Journal (November 17, 2006)
- Leading Lawyers, The Business Journal (January 20, 2006)
- Arizona Business Hall of Fame, Junior Achievement of Arizona (2005)
- University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Service Award (2003)
- "The Valley of the Sun King," American Lawyer (August 2000)
- Walter E. Craig Distinguished Service Award (1998)
- Community Legal Services Decade of Dedication Award (1998)
- Arizona State University College of Law's Distinguished Achievement Medal (1998)
- 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America, National Law Journal (April 28, 1997)
- The Business Journal, Profile (October 23, 1989)
- Certificate of Merit, Iowa State Bar Association
Community Involvement
- Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers, Chair (2015-present)
- Valley of the Sun United Way, Board of Directors (2004-present)
- Valley of the Sun United Way Foundation, Board of Directors (2006-2011)
- Partnership for a Drug Free America, Arizona Chapter, Board of Advisors, Founder (2002-2016)
- Arizona Equal Justice Foundation, Co-Founder, Co-Chair (2001-present)
- Greater Phoenix Leadership (1998-present), Board of Directors (2013-present), Arts & Culture Committee, External Relations Committee
- Phoenix Art Museum, Board of Trustees (1994-2000, 2002-present), President (1996-1998)
- Arizona Opera Company, Board of Trustees (1986-2001), President (1989-1991)
- Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (1988-1996)
- Arizona Economic Council, Board of Directors (1989-1993)
- Wildlife for Tomorrow (formerly Foundation for the Conservation of Arizona Wildlife), Founder, Board of Directors, President (1990-1998)
- Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Board of Directors (2010-2014)
- Phoenix Community Alliance (1991-2011)
- Mountain States Legal Foundation, Board of Litigation (1977-1995)
- Institute for the Support of Educational Excellence, Board of Directors (school-industry project) (1985-1990)
- Phoenix Human Relations Commission, Chairman (1973-1975)
- Maricopa Legal Aid, Board of Directors (1969-1975)
Other Professional Experience
- Snell & Wilmer, Chairman (1983-2015)
- Foley, Sammond & Lardner, Associate, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1960)
Military Service
- United States Army Captain JAGC (1960-1962)
Bar Admissions
- Arizona
- Iowa
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of Arizona
- Supreme Court of Iowa
- Supreme Court of Wisconsin
- United States Supreme Court
- United States District Court, District of Arizona
- United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals