Maricopa County's judiciary has gained two experienced legal figures as Governor Katie Hobbs announced Elizabeth T. Bingert and Rachel C. Hernandez as the new appointees to the Superior Court. Bingert, who is transitioning from her position as a court commissioner, has a robust resume with her involvement in the Arizona Attorney General's Office, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office. She has also exhibited a dedication to service outside of her official capacities, founding ROBES - an initiative aimed at fostering community engagement.
Hernandez's history with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona spans over a quarter of a century, during which she demonstrated leadership by serving as the Arizona Bar Foundation President, taking active roles in committees with the Arizona State Bar, and occupying the position of First Assistant U.S. Attorney until recently. Governor Hobbs expressed her confidence in the appointees, stating, "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." This decision came as Judges Michael W. Kemp and M. Scott McCoy stepped down from their positions.
Both Bingert and Hernandez's appointments have come at a critical time, with the state's judicial system facing issues such as case backlog and public trust. Their combined experience in various facets of the law – particularly Hernandez's extensive tenure in the federal legal system and Bingert's multifaceted state legal service – is expected to contribute towards a judiciary that can effectively deal with such challenges. The Governor’s office has emphasized the appointees' history of public service as a testament to their qualifications for these roles.
The two judges fill vacancies left by the retirement of the preceding judges, an event that always prompts a scrutiny of the newcomers' potential impact on the county's legal landscape. In the vein of continuity and progress, there's hope that these appointments will embody the administration's pledge to enhance judicial efficiency and uphold the principles of equity in Arizona's courts. The full statement regarding the appointments can be viewed here.
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