James E. McDougall

Attorney at Law
Phone - 602.277.2010
Email -
vCard

Jim is a partner at Frazer Ryan Goldberg & Arnold LLP, practicing Elder Law and Mental Health Law serving the elderly, the developmentally disabled, and the mentally ill. In his Elder Law and Mental Health practice, Jim helps families who need to obtain a guardianship or conservatorship over a relative because of some incapacity or disability related to a mental disorder, a developmental disorder, a physical condition, chronic drug or alcohol addiction or old age. At times he may represent the individual over whom the guardianship or conservatorship is sought. Many of Jim's clients hire him to consult with about how best to navigate the frustrating and confusing processes and proceedings involved in the voluntary or involuntary treatment of the mentally ill or the eligibility and services connected to the developmentally disabled.

Jim joined the firm after retiring from the Arizona Superior Court in Maricopa County with over 26 years of service as a Judge and Commissioner. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Jim served as counsel for the State Compensation Fund and was an associate in the law firm of Murphy Posner and Franks.

Throughout his judicial career, Judge McDougall focused his energy in divisions of the court serving children and families. He served a total of 12 years on the Juvenile Court assignment and was the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court in Maricopa County from 1989 to 1995. He was assigned to the Domestic Relations Division of the court for three consecutive years as a Commissioner (1974 - 1976) and for two years as a Judge (1997 - 1999). As a Commissioner of the Superior Court he was assigned to hear Mental Health cases involving Petitions for Court Ordered Treatment. Mental illness was an issue that touched practically every assignment he had on the court including Criminal, Juvenile, Probate and Family Court. Since retiring from the bench, he has devoted much of his time to helping people resolve their disputes outside the courtroom through mediation, arbitration, and other alternatives to litigation. In addition to practicing law, Jim will continue to serve as a mediator, arbitrator and special master.

Education

• University of Arizona, College of Law - J.D. 1969
• University of Arizona - B.A. 1966
• Continuing Legal Education - National and State Judicial College

Current

• American Bar Association
• State Bar of Arizona
• Maricopa County Bar Association
• Arizona Judge's Association

Past

• Arizona Dispute Resolution Association
• Maricopa County Association of Family Mediators
• Association for Conflict Resolution
• Governor's Task Force on Children's Mental Health
• Family Preservation Advisory Committee
• Juvenile Intensive Probation Task Force
• Maricopa Association of Government, Youth Policy Advisory Committee
• Protocol for Investigations of Child Abuse, 1995
• Joint Legislative Committee on Juvenile Justice Reform, 1994-1995
• Arizona Project Redesign Advisory Committee to redesign DES, 1994-1995
• Juvenile Victim's Rights Committee, 1994-1995
• Perinatal Substance Abuse Committee, 1993-1995
• Committee on Juvenile Courts, 1989-1995
• Governor's Task Force on Juvenile Corrections, 1993-1994
• Juvenile Calendar/Caseflow Advisory Oversight Committee, 1991-1995
• 63rd Arizona Town Hall on Crime and Violence, 1993
• Madison School District Chemical Abuse Prevention Committee, 1992
• Joint Legislative Study Committee on Crime in the Juvenile Sector, 1990-1992
• Arizona Supreme Court's Commission on the Court's, Task Force on Children and Families in the Court, 1989-1992
• Governor's Task Force on Seriously Mentally Ill, 1989-1990
• Arizona State Hospital Advisory Board, 1989--1990
• Legislative Oversight Committee, 1989-1990
• Governor's Select Commission on Review of Juvenile Corrections, 1989
• Arizona Council of Centers for Children and Adolescent's Task Force on Juvenile Mental Health Commitment, 1983-1984
• Domestic Violence Committee, 1980
• Arizona Task Force on Marriage and the Family, 1976

• Arizona State Bar Elder Law & Mental Health Section, Board Member
• Arizona State Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Past Chairman & Board Member (2004 - 2010)
• Maricopa County Bar Association, Past President and Board Member
• Family Law Committee, Chairman, Arizona State Bar (1977-78), Maricopa County Bar (1978-79)
• Maricopa County Alternative Dispute Resolution Association, Board of Directors
• Maricopa County Association of Family Mediators, Past Treasurer & Board Member (2004-2010)
• Incorporator, Friends of Public Radio Arizona
• Chairman, Arizona State Bar Probate and Mental Health Committee, 1985
• Brophy Dad's Club, Treasurer & Board Member

• State Bar of Arizona Member of the year 2011
• Maricopa County Bar Association Hall of Fame 2011