The transition in Arizona's legal leadership marked by Bo Dul's resignation.
Bo Dul, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs’ Chief Legal Adviser, has resigned effective April 7, 2023, citing family and health reasons. Although stepping down from her chief role, she will remain as special counsel to assist with the transition. Dul has been a key figure in the Hobbs administration, notably in election policy and judicial selection. Her departure coincides with other staff changes in the administration, setting the stage for new leadership within Arizona’s legal team.
In an unexpected yet not entirely surprising move, Bo Dul, the Chief Legal Adviser to Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, has announced her resignation effective April 7, 2023. Dul, who has been a pivotal figure in the Hobbs administration, expressed her need to take a step back for family and health reasons in a resignation letter dated April 1.
Though stepping down from her chief position, Dul will remain on the payroll in a new role as special counsel for an unspecified duration. This will allow her to help transition the state’s legal leadership, maintaining some continuity during this period of change. With her extensive experience in government and legal affairs, Dul aims to ensure a smooth changeover as new leadership is established.
Bo Dul has been a part of Governor Hobbs’ inner circle since the very beginning of her administration. Her previous roles include serving as the state’s elections director and as general counsel for Hobbs during her time as Secretary of State. This wealth of experience made her a critical member of the team, especially during intense challenges.
Throughout her time in office, Dul was involved in navigating significant issues including election policy and the state’s death penalty procedures. Her expertise also extended to the judicial selection process, where she played a vital role in selecting judges for both county and appeals courts. Notably, she was instrumental in appointing Justice Maria Elena Cruz, Arizona’s first Black and Latina Supreme Court Justice.
Dul’s time in office has not been without its challenges. She oversaw the legal defense of a controversial plan aimed at bypassing Senate confirmation for agency nominees, a plan that was eventually found to violate state law. Additionally, she attempted to negotiate with lawmakers for quicker election result reporting, although her efforts were ultimately hampered when Governor Hobbs vetoed a GOP-backed bill due to unresolved differences.
Before diving into the world of politics and public service, Dul worked at the well-respected Phoenix law firm Perkins Coie, tackling a myriad of political cases. Her experience continued to grow in 2022 when she briefly left government work to represent Hobbs at the States United Democracy Center, where she played a crucial role in addressing election-related matters.
Dul’s resignation coincides with a wave of other staff changes within the Hobbs administration, including the recent departure of budget director Sarah Brown. Moving forward, Hobbs’ aides Sean Berens and Kori Lorick will be sharing the responsibilities previously held by Dul. Interestingly, Berens joined the Hobbs team in January 2023, bringing a background in real estate law, while Lorick has been part of the administration since 2019, having served in various roles such as state elections director and deputy chief of staff.
As Arizona marches forward, the impact of Bo Dul’s contributions cannot be understated. Her departure marks a significant transition not just for the governor’s office, but for Arizona’s legal landscape as well. While the new special counsel role may keep her a part of the team in some capacity, it also opens up a pathway for fresh leadership and new ideas in the governor’s legal team. The administration will certainly have its work cut out, but with capable individuals stepping up, Arizonans can remain hopeful for continued progress in governance and legal integrity.
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