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Elizabeth Burton Burton Ortiz

APAAC Executive Director

Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys' Advisory Council


Elizabeth Ortiz has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, a Master of Arts in Political Science, and a Juris Doctor. After graduating from law school, Ms. Ortiz clerked at the Arizona Court of Appeals. Ms. Ortiz then joined the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted cases for sixteen years. During that time, Ms. Ortiz served as a Bureau Chief in Juvenile, Pretrial, Charging, and Appeals. In 2009, Ms. Ortiz joined the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council (“APAAC”) as the Senior Staff Attorney, and was subsequently named Executive Director. In addition to her APAAC duties, Ms. Ortiz has served as a sworn special prosecutor for La Paz, Maricopa, Navajo, and Pinal counties.  Ms. Ortiz serves on several committees for the State Bar of Arizona, in addition to being a board member for the National Association of Prosecution Coordinators, the National District Attorneys Association, the Commission of Victims in the Courts, the Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women, and the Arizona Forensic Science Academy. Ms. Ortiz teaches extensively throughout Arizona, the United States, and in Mexico.