Sheldon Mitchell

- – With gratitude and appreciation, the Mitchell family announces the passing of Sheldon Mitchell on October 8th at age 91. Sheldon was a loving husband and devoted father. He was generous with his children to a fault and greatest joys included time with his family, traveling, reading, listening to music both live and recorded. He loved dogs and was blessed by Buddy and Lily in his later years.

A pioneer of family law, Sheldon was instrumental in drafting Arizona’s no fault dissolution statute and was a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He was the force that brought the AAML Chapter to Arizona. Sheldon handled the biggest, most highly contested family law cases in his career. There is no family law case that proceeds in Arizona today that does not deal with a legal issue he helped to establish through his Appellate decisions. He was an advocate, teacher, and mentor in the Arizona family law community.

Sheldon graduated from NYU in 1948 then moved to Phoenix in 1950 to began a long, very distinguished career. In the book “The Best Lawyers in America” by Harvard Law, he was named in the first issue and every issue until he retired at 78 years old.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Mitchell, children Eve Mitchell Dyer (Vic), Matthew Mitchell (Deborah), Jason Mitchell (Amparo) Diane, Winslow and Elizabeth (Libby) Scott, grandchildren Thomas Dyer (Jenny), William Dyer (Dee Dee), Sarah and Lena Mitchell, Dieringer and Alexander Scott, and great granddaughter Brynn Dyer. His love and sound counsel will be missed.

No services planned. Donations may be made to the ACLU, Guide Dogs for the Blind San Rafael, CA or the American Diabetes Association.