There's a seat up for grabs on the Pima County Superior Court bench, and if you've got a legal mind and a hankering for the gavel, now's your chance. The vacancy comes courtesy of Hon. Renee T. Bennett's resignation, and the hunt for a suitable replacement is underway.
The application window is now officially open, as confirmed by the news release on the Judicial Department's website. The Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments isn't just taking names—they’re looking for the cream of the crop. Applicants will be scrutinized, and interviewed, and from them, a minimum of three nominees will be handed to Gov. Katie Hobbs, tasked with appointing the new judge. If you're planning to apply, be ready by October 28, 2024, 3:00 p.m.—that’s when your application needs to hit the Human Resources Department’s desk in Phoenix.
But what does it take to be considered? Well, age is not only a number—you need to be at least 30. Moral fiber is key; you've got to be of good moral character. You also need to have been admitted to the practice of law in Arizona, for at least five years, and call Pima County home for a minimum of one year. All this, according to the official announcement.
An original signed application with all the necessary attachments, plus a searchable PDF version, should make its way to the Administrative Office of the Courts, Human Resources Department, located at 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ, 85007. If you threw your hat in the ring for a previous Pima County vacancy, no need to reapply; your application is still in the running. All of this process, highly important for ensuring the balance of the judiciary, will unfold under the public eye—meeting dates of the Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments will be announced and open to the public, keeping the process transparent.
The role doesn’t just carry weight in the courtroom; it also carries a weighty salary—at present, $180,000 annually. But wait until the new year rolls in, because on January 1, 2025, that number jumps up to $190,000, as noted in the judicial announcement.
