Panel Considering Applicants for Arizona Court of Appeals Vacancy

A nominating commission is considering four judges and seven other applicants for a vacancy on the Phoenix-based division of the state Court of Appeals.

The Commission on Appellate Court Appointments announced Tuesday it is seeking comments on the applicants for the vacancy created by Judge Kenton D. Jones’ retirement.

The applicants include Superior Court Judges Robert J. Higgins of Navajo County and Rick A. Williams of Mohave County, Yuma County Judge Pro Tem Christopher Kottke and Yuma County Family Law Commissioner Joseph P. Goldstein.

The other applicants are attorneys Andrew J. Becke, Veronika Fabian, Brian Y. Furuya, Raymond A. Hanna, Jared E. Holland, Benjamin D. Kreutzberg and Serena S. Serassio.

The commission will review the applications and nominate at least three to Gov. Doug Ducey, who will appoint Jones’ replacement.

The Phoenix-based division hears cases from Apache, Coconino, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Yavapai and Yuma counties.

The seat formerly held by Jones is reserved for an appointee from a rural county.

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