Judicial Openings and Appointments

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2026

Governor’s Office to Hold Judicial Interviews for the Mohave County Superior Court

Phoenix, AZ – Governor Katie Hobbs announced today that members of her office will interview applicants for a judicial appointment for the Superior Court in Mohave County.

Interviews will take place Wednesday May 6, 2026 at the Mohave County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, 700 W. Beale Street, Kingman, AZ 86401.

Aaron M. Demke will be interviewed at 12:00 PM.

The interview is open to the public, and will be preceded by a public comment period for members of the public to comment on the judicial applicant at 11:30 AM.

Additionally, the public may send written comments to azgovlegal@az.gov. Members of the public may view the candidate’s application at https://bc.azgovernor.gov/. Comments must be received no later than Friday May 8, 2026 for consideration.

Under Arizona’s Constitution, Superior Court judges in counties with a population of less than 250,000 people are elected by the voters. However, vacancies created by the establishment of a new division or by the retirement or resignation of a judge are filled by gubernatorial appointment until the next general election.

Governor Hobbs Announces Appointment of Christian J. Bell, Utiki S. Laing, and AWLA Sustaining Member Ashley B. Rahaman to Maricopa County Superior Court

4/29/26


Phoenix, AZ – Today, Governor Katie Hobbs announced the appointment of Christian J. Bell, Utiki S. Laing, and Ashley B. Rahaman to the Maricopa County Superior Court.

Judge Bell was appointed as a court commissioner in 2020, and has served in the Probate and Mental Health Department, as well as the Juvenile Department. He previously served in the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and in the Phoenix City Prosecutor’s Office, where he worked on both trial and appellate matters.

Judge Laing was appointed as a court commissioner in 2013. She has served in the court’s Criminal Department since 2024 after previously being assigned to the Family Department where she served as presiding commissioner during her final year, Initial Appearance Court, and the Juvenile Department. Prior to her appointment as a commissioner, Judge Laing was a public defender in the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office.

Judge Rahaman was appointed as a court commissioner in 2021, and has served in the Criminal and Family Departments. She has also served on the court’s Commissioner Hiring Committee and Judicial Executive Committee and has been the sole judicial officer overseeing the court’s bond forfeiture calendar. Before becoming a commissioner, Judge Rahaman was in private practice, where she focused primarily on family law matters.

“I am proud to appoint these three highly qualified individuals to the bench,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “Both prior to and throughout their service as court commissioners, they have each demonstrated not only strong legal abilities, but also a dedication to public service and bettering their communities. I am confident they will continue to serve the people of Arizona and Maricopa County well in the years to come.”

The appointments are to fill the vacancies created by the retirement of Judges Pamela H. Dunne and Tracey Westerhausen and the resignation of Judge Lisa S. Wahlin.

Judicial Nominees Announced for Opening on Superior Court in Pima County

 

May 1, 2026

PHOENIX - The Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments has recommended seven nominees to Gov. Katie Hobbs for an opening on the Superior Court in Pima County. AWLA Members are in blue.

 

The nominees for the opening created by the retirement of Hon. Joan L. Wagener are:

 

• Michael J. Martinez Areinoff, Independent, Associate General Counsel at the Tucson Unified School District

• Soo Conatser, Republican, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Pima County

• Marie D. Kagie-Shutey, Democrat, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Pima County

• Nicole P. Savel, Democrat, Assistant U.S. Attorney with the United States Attorney’s Office

• Christina M. Vejar, Independent, Assistant U.S. Attorney with the United States Attorney’s Office

• Dawn R. Walton, Democrat, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Pima County

• Antonio Lopez Zapata, Democrat, Legal Advisor at the Tucson Police Department

 

Gov. Hobbs will make the appointment.

APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR SUPERIOR COURT COMMISSIONER & HEARING OFFICER

Monday, March 9, 2026 by Arizona Superior Court in Pima County

Presiding Superior Court Judge Danelle Liwski and Presiding Juvenile Court Judge Michael J. Butler announce that a joint Merit Selection Committee for the Superior Court and the Juvenile Court is accepting applications for Commissioner and Hearing Officer positions which may become open in the next twelve months due to retirements or changes of assignments.One application can be submitted for either position or both; applicants can mark on the application for which position(s) they wish to be considered.  The final selection for any future opening will be announced.   

The current annual salary for a Commissioner is $180,000 per HB2897. (The Commissioner salary is set at 90% of the statutory salary for a Superior Court Judge). The current annual salary for a Hearing Officer is $150,000. (The Hearing Officer salary is set at 75% of a Superior Court Judge). 

Applications are available on the 9th floor of the Pima County Superior Court or may be requested by e-mailing humanresources@sc.pima.gov.

You may also download an application from the Court’s web site at www.sc.pima.gov; NEWS/ANNOUNCEMENTS section
Completed application (along with a cover letter and resume) must be submitted.

NO LATER THAN Thursday, April 9, by 10:00 AM.

Electronic submission is preferred; combine all documents and name the file with your name.

E-mail the submission to humanresources@sc.pima.gov, (cc: isaar@sc.pima.gov)

Applications can also be dropped off or mailed to the following:
  Superior Court in Pima County, Human Resources,
  110 W Congress, 9th floor, Tucson, AZ  85701

For More information, click here.

Magistrate Opening
San Luis Municipal Court

Presides over the San Luis Magistrate Court and serves as the Department Director. Work is performed in accordance with applicable law and rules. The Magistrate Judge is appointed by Mayor and Council.

As the Magistrate, you will:

Preside over court proceedings.
Act as the judge in processing criminal and civil cases in accordance with the rules set forth in the Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedures, the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, Arizona Revised Statutes, and Rules of the Supreme Court of Arizona.
Comply with the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Code of Judicial Administration.
Impose and enforce civil and criminal penalties upon determination of violation of State and local laws, rules, codes, and ordinances.
Administer fair and impartial justice according to the Arizona and U.S. Constitutions.
Conduct initial appearances and arraignments and determines conditions of release, in accordance with the Arizona Rules of Criminal procedure.
Review and/or sign motions, rulings, warrants and other documents as required.
Conduct hearings as necessary for the adjudication of cases filed in the Court.
Serve as the Department Director for the Magistrate Court by providing guidance and direction to staff and acting in a leadership role in the department.
Oversee the administrative functions, such as establishing organization goals, completing the budget and making financial decisions and managing personnel matters.
Manage and report on complex fine revenues and restitution disbursements;
Supervise the Court Administrator and other court positions.
Comply with Continuing Judicial Education and Training and Continuing Legal Education.
Remain in good standing with the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct and, if admitted to State Bar of Arizona, remain in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.
Remain available for telephonic Search Warrants.

For more information, please click here.

Governor Hobbs Announces Appointment of AWLA Member Jessica Sanchez and Don Taylor to Maricopa County Superior Court

News Release January 9, 2026

Phoenix, AZ – Today, Governor Katie Hobbs announced the appointment of Jessica S. Sanchez and B. Don Taylor III to the Maricopa County Superior Court. Since 2007, Sanchez has practiced law primarily in the field of education, advising and representing school districts and charter schools on issues such as employment law and constitutional law. She served on the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Arizona from 2017 to 2024, including as president from 2022 to 2023. She has also served as the President of Los Abogados and a co-chair of the Latina Mentoring Project, as well as on numerous Arizona Supreme Court committees, including the Arizona Judicial Council and the Judicial Performance Review Task Force.

Taylor has served as the presiding judge on the Phoenix Municipal Court since 2015. He was an Assistant City Prosecutor in the Phoenix City Prosecutor’s Office from 1996 to 2005 before accepting a Fulbright Fellowship to study international law abroad. He subsequently served as a legal officer for the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and as a law professor before returning to Phoenix in 2011 as the Phoenix Municipal Court’s Executive Court Administrator.

“Each of these appointees brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the court,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “They have shown tremendous leadership and commitment to the community, and I am confident that they will serve the people of Arizona well in their new roles.”

The appointments are to fill the vacancies created by the retirement of Judges John R. Hannah and Timothy J. Ryan.

City of Tempe
Presiding Judge

Presiding Judge

 

Interested applicants should submit a completed application packet that contains the items listed below. Application packets submitted without all the required items will not begiven further consideration. The Supplemental Application Materials and Questions document is provided in both PDF and Word formats, please only submit one (1).

1. Application (PDF) | Application (Word)
2. Resume
3. Supplemental Application Materials (PDF) | Supplemental Application Materials (Word)

For more information, please click here.

Judicial Nominees Announced for Openings on Superior Court in Maricopa County

November 19, 2025

PHOENIX - The Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments has recommended 10 nominees to Gov. Katie Hobbs for the two openings on the Superior Court in Maricopa County. AWLA Members are in Blue.

The nominees for the openings created by the retirement of Hon. Timothy J. Ryan and Hon. John R. Hannah are:

Harla M. Davison, Democrat, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County.
Lindsay M. Hughes, Republican, Associate Presiding Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County.
Utiki S. Laing, Democrat, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County
Addison B. Owen, Republican, Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S Attorney’s Office.
Ashley B. Rahaman, Democrat, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County.
Jessica S. Sanchez, Independent, Equity Partner with Udall Shumway P.L.C.
Sarah E. Selzer, Democrat, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County.
Jonathan C. Simon, Independent, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County.
B. Don Taylor III, Democrat, Chief Presiding Judge at the Phoenix Municipal Court.
Kirsten J. Wright, Democrat, Division Chief Counsel in the Child and Family Protection Division at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Gov. Hobbs will make the appointments.

Governor Hobbs Announces Appointment of Elizabeth Bingert and Rachel Hernandez to Maricopa County Superior Court

October 16, 2025

Phoenix, AZ – Today, Governor Katie Hobbs announced the appointment of Elizabeth T. Bingert and Rachel C. Hernandez to the Maricopa County Superior Court. Bingert has served as a court commissioner since 2021 and previously served in the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office. Outside of those roles, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service, including founding ROBES (Reaching Out and Building Engagement through Service), a judicial community service organization.

Hernandez served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona for over 25 years. She established herself as a leader both inside the office and out, having served as the President of the Arizona Bar Foundation, worked on numerous committees with the Arizona State Bar, as well as held leadership roles in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including as First Assistant U.S. Attorney from 2021 until earlier this year.

“I am proud to appoint two career public servants to the bench,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “Both Elizabeth Bingert and Rachel Hernandez have shown not only that they have the skills necessary to be effective judges, but that they are entering their new roles committed to serving the people of Arizona and improving access to justice.”

The appointments are to fill the vacancies created by the retirement of Judges Michael W. Kemp and M. Scott McCoy.