Snell & Wilmer announces that Phoenix Partner Don Bivens was recently appointed chair of the American Bar Association’s Center for Innovation by ABA President Judy Perry Martinez.

The ABA’s Center for Innovation convenes lawyers, courts, and leads tech companies to develop cutting-edge innovations to improve the accessibility, affordability, and quality of civil legal services in America, according to a press release.

On Feb. 17, Mr. Bivens led the passage by the ABA House of Delegates of a groundbreaking resolution encouraging all U.S. jurisdictions to consider regulatory innovations to improve access to justice for many Americans who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.

A recent chair of the Section of Litigation of the American Bar Association, and past president of the State Bar of Arizona and the Maricopa County Bar Association, he serves on the Arizona Judicial Council advising the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice in the administration of all courts, the release said.

Mr. Bivens recently chaired the Arizona Supreme Court’s Commission on Civil Justice Reform. He handles all types of complex litigation.

He has tried cases involving securities fraud, patent infringement, trade secrets, lender liability, environmental liability, professional negligence, officer and director liability, products liability, employment discrimination, immigration, real estate and construction matters, significant estate disputes, business torts, and class actions.

Mr. Bivens has led, partnered and formed some notable legal organizations and committees in Arizona, the release said.

The founding president of the Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court and long-time member of the American Law institute from Arizona, has served as co-chair of the Arizona Equal Justice Campaign, assisting in raising $5 million to help legal aid in Arizona.

Plus, he served as state chair of the Arizona Democratic Party from 2007-11 and serves as the chancellor for the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, the release added.