Judicial Openings and Appointments

 

Applications Being Accepted for Six Vacancies Created by Expansion of Superior Court in Pima County

 

PHOENIX - Applications are being accepted for six vacancies on the Superior Court in Pima County created by the addition of Divisions 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36, effective Sept. 21, 2026. 

 

The Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments will review applications, interview selected applicants and recommend at least three nominees for each vacancy to Gov. Katie Hobbs, who will appoint the new judges. 

 

The updated judicial application form can be downloaded at the Judicial Nominating Commission website: azcourts.gov/jnc [azcourts.gov]. Applications may also be obtained from the Administrative Office of the Courts, Human Resources Department, 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, by calling 602-452-3311, or by sending an email request to jnc@courts.az.gov.  

 

Applicants must be at least 30 years of age, of good moral character, admitted to the practice of law in, and a resident of Arizona for the past five years, and a resident of Pima County for the past year. 

 

A signed and searchable PDF application with all attachments must be digitally submitted by 12 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2026. Please review the application instructions for guidance on submitting your electronic application.   

 

Applicants for the most recent vacancies in Pima County MUST reapply to be considered for the new vacancies. 

 

The Commission may, at its discretion, use applications filed for these vacancies to nominate candidates for any additional vacancies known to the Commission before the screening meeting for these vacancies is held.   

 

All meetings of the Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments are open to the public. Meeting dates will be announced.  

 

The current annual salary of a Superior Court judge is $200,000.

Applications Being Accepted for Two Vacancies on Superior Court in Maricopa County 

 

PHOENIX - Applications are being accepted for two vacancies on the Superior Court in Maricopa County created by the upcoming retirement of Hon. David J. Palmer and Hon. Christopher T. Whitten. 

 

The Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments will review applications, interview selected applicants and recommend at least three nominees for each vacancy to Gov. Katie Hobbs, who will appoint the new judges. 

 

The most current judicial application form can be downloaded at the Judicial Nominating Commission website: azcourts.gov/jnc [azcourts.gov]. Applications may also be obtained from the Administrative Office of the Courts, Human Resources Department, 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, by calling 602-452-3311, or by sending an email request to jnc@courts.az.gov.  

 

Applicants must be at least 30 years of age, of good moral character, admitted to the practice of law in, and a resident of Arizona for the past five years, and a resident of Maricopa County for the past year. 

 

A signed and searchable PDF application with all attachments must be digitally submitted by 12 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2026. Please review the application instructions for guidance on submitting your electronic application.   

 

Applicants for the recent vacancies in Maricopa County DO NOT need to reapply to be considered for the new vacancies.

 

The Commission may, at its discretion, use applications filed for these vacancies to nominate candidates for any additional vacancies known to the Commission before the screening meeting for these vacancies is held.   

 

All meetings of the Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments are open to the public. Meeting dates will be announced.  

 

The current annual salary of a Superior Court judge is $200,000. 

Public Asked for Input on Candidates for Two Vacancies on Superior Court in Pima County

 

PHOENIX - The Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments is seeking public input on nine candidates for two vacancies on the Superior Court in Pima County created by the retirement of Hon. Christopher C. Browning and the appointment of Hon. D. Greg Sakall as a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Arizona. AWLA Members are in Blue.

 

The candidates are:

 

Luke E. Brown Soo Conatser Marie D. Kagie-Shutey Tracey A. Miller Nicole P. Savel

Christina M. Vejar Katherine M. Voll Dawn R. Walton Antonio L. Zapata

 

Candidate applications can be viewed online at the Commission’s website, azcourts.gov/jnc [azcourts.gov].

 

The Commission will meet to interview the candidates on Aug. 24, 2026. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be held at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites – Pima Meeting Room, 5151 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ, 85712. The interview agenda will be posted on the Commission’s website at least seven days prior to the meeting. 

 

Members of the public may address the Commission on Aug. 24. Written comments may also be submitted via email to jnc@courts.az.gov or mailed to 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ 85007. It is not necessary to submit multiple copies of written comments - email is preferred. Comments must be received no later than Aug. 20 to be considered. Anonymous comments cannot be considered.

 

Following the interviews, the Commission will recommend at least three nominees for each opening to Gov. Katie Hobbs, who will appoint the new judges.

16 Applicants Being Considered for Two Vacancies on Superior Court in Pima County

 

PHOENIX - The public is invited to comment on 16 applicants for two vacancies on the Superior Court in Pima County created by the retirement of Hon. Christopher C. Browning and the appointment of Hon. D. Greg Sakall as a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Arizona. AWLA Members are in Blue.

 

The applicants are: 

 

 

 

Applications can be viewed online at the Commission’s website, azcourts.gov/jn [azcourts.gov]c. 

 

The Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments will review applications and hear comments at a public meeting on Aug. 3, 2026. Meeting details will be on the public meeting notice. The public meeting notice and meeting agenda will be posted on the Commission’s website at least seven days prior to the meeting.

 

Members of the public may address the Commission on the day of the meeting or send written comments via email to jnc@courts.az.gov or mailed to 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ, 85007. It is not necessary to submit multiple copies of written comments -- email is preferred. Comments must be received no later than July 30 to be considered. Anonymous comments cannot be considered.

 

The Commission will select the applicants to be interviewed at the Aug. 3 meeting, and they will then be interviewed on Aug. 24. The logistics of this meeting will be available after the Aug. 3 meeting. After the interviews, the Commission will recommend at least three nominees for each opening to Gov. Katie Hobbs, who will appoint the new judges.

Public Asked for Input on Candidates for Two Vacancies in Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals 

 

PHOENIX - The Commission on Appellate Court Appointments is asking for public comment on 16 candidates for two vacancies in Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals created by the retirements of Hon. David B. Gass and Hon. Samuel A. Thumma.  AWLA Members are in Blue.

 

The candidates are: 

 

Candidate applications can be viewed online at the Commission’s website, azcourts.gov/jnc [azcourts.gov]. 

 

The Commission will meet to interview the candidates on Aug. 20-21. The meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. on both days and be held in Conference Room 101 of the Arizona State Courts Building, 1501 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007. The interview agenda will be posted on the Commission’s website at least seven days prior to the meeting. 

 

Members of the public may address the Commission on Aug. 20. Written comments may also be submitted via email to jnc@courts.az.gov or mailed to 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ 85007. It is not necessary to submit multiple copies of written comments - email is preferred. Comments must be received no later than August 17 to be considered. Anonymous comments cannot be considered.  

 

Following the interviews, the Commission will recommend at least three nominees for each opening to Gov. Katie Hobbs, who will appoint the new judges. 

CITY OF PHOENIX
MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE

The City of Phoenix Judicial Selection Advisory Board is currently accepting applications for the position of City Judge for the Phoenix Municipal Court. The Court is currently recruiting for two judicial vacancies, with the possibility that this recruitment will be used to fill additional vacancies that may arise in the future.

DUTIES: Preside over a variety of trial court cases including criminal misdemeanor complaints, traffic charges, jury and non-jury trials, pre-trial conferences, arraignments, motions, orders of protection, injunctions, and other court proceedings. The position requires familiarity and application of relevant state statutes, Phoenix city ordinances, Arizona Supreme Court Rules, evidentiary rules and case law. This position is filled by appointment by the City Council to a specified term. For more details, compensation, and benefits see here (and review listed job title “City Judge” with assigned Job Code: 10570).

REQUIREMENT: Admission to the Arizona State Bar and a minimum of five years practice of law or equivalent legal experience, with preference for at least five years of law practice in Arizona.

Applications are available through the Phoenix Municipal Court’s web site here or through the Judicial Selection Advisory Board c/o Office of the Chief Presiding Judge, Phoenix Municipal Court, 300 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 (602) 262-1608.

Applications and Letters of Recommendation (limitation of 5 letters) must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., July 30th.

Any applications and/or Letters of Recommendation received after this date and time will not be considered.

Judicial Nominees Announced for Openings on Superior Court in Maricopa County

 

PHOENIX - The Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments has recommended 13 nominees to Gov. Katie Hobbs for the three openings on the Superior Court in Maricopa County. AWLA Members are in Blue.

 

The nominees for the openings created by the retirements of Hon. Dean M. Fink, Hon. Michael D. Gordon and Hon. Joan M. Sinclair are:

 

• Samin Adib, Democrat,Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County
• Ramsey K. Bronyah, Democrat, Deputy County Attorney at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office
• Lacey A. Fisher, Independent, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County
• Christina A. Henderson, Independent, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County
• Lindsay M. Hughes Kunaschk, Republican, Associate Presiding Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County
• David J. Keys-Nunes, Democrat, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County
• Jason D. Lewis, Democrat, Deputy Solicitor General and Section Chief of Capital Litigation with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office
• Christopher A. Nichols, Independent, Administrative Law Judge with the Arizona Corporation Commission
• Michael P. Obert, Jr., Independent, Partner with Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard, & Smith, LLP
• Joseph M. Rhoades, Independent, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County
• Nicholas J. Saccone, Republican, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County
• Sarah E. Selzer, Democrat, Commissioner with the Superior Court in Maricopa County
• Joshua M. Whitaker, Independent, Special Litigation Unit Chief with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office

 

Gov. Hobbs will make the appointments.

 

 

Governor Hobbs Announces Appointment of Michael John Martinez Areinoff to Pima County Superior Court FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 12, 2026 CONTACT: press@az.gov Phoenix, AZ - Today, Governor Katie Hobbs announced the appointment of Michael John Martinez Areinoff to the Pima County Superior Court. Mr. Areinoff has served as Associate General Counsel for the Tucson Unified School District since 2021 and previously served as legal counsel for the district from 2008 to 2010. His experience also includes extensive criminal law practice, first with the Pima County Public Defender’s Office and later with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the District of Arizona. He has also taught numerous courses in legal writing and criminal law and procedure at the University of Arizona. “Throughout his career, Mr. Areinoff has dutifully served the people of Pima County,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “His skills as an attorney and his dedication to public service and access to justice demonstrate that he is well prepared to be a judge, and I wish him all the best as he takes on this new role.” Mr. Areinoff’s appointment is to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joan L. Wagener.

Governor Hobbs Announces Appointment of Aaron Demke to Mohave County Superior Court

May 21, 2026


Phoenix, AZ – Today, Governor Katie Hobbs announced the appointment of Aaron Demke to the Mohave County Superior Court. Judge Demke has served as a commissioner on the court since 2021. He previously served in the Mohave County Public Defender’s Office and the Mohave County Office of the Legal Advocate.

“Judge Demke has spent his entire legal career in the service of the people of Mohave County,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “He has established himself as a highly capable lawyer and judicial officer, and I am proud to appoint him to this new role.”

Judge Demke’s appointment is to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Lee F. Jantzen.