Gov Hobbs Appoints (3) African Americans to the AZ Superior Court
By DL White
Governor Katie Hobbs is Arizona’s 24th governor. Of the five women to have served in the role, she is only the second elected by voters of the Grand Canyon State, the first was Janet Napolitano in 2003. The other three ascended to the office following impeachments and resignations.
Twenty-four individuals have served as Arizona’s chief elected official since Arizona became a state in 1912. Nineteen men and five women over that 114-year span, did not do collectively, what current Governor Katie Hobbs did in one day.
Hobbs did what no previous Arizona governor had done: appoint three highly qualified African Americans to the bench at one time. The issue was never a lack of qualified candidates, but rather a decision or unwillingness to select them.
With her earlier appointment of Judge Lauren Guyton, Hobbs has now appointed four African American judges to the Maricopa County Superior Court.
In 2023, during her first year in office, Governor Hobbs also appointed Danielle Harris as the first African American woman to serve on the Pinal County Superior Court.
As efforts to weaken the Voting Rights Act and redraw districts continue in states across the country, it is both refreshing and notable that Arizona has both a champion and a victory to celebrate in Governor Hobbs.
On April 29, 2026, the Governor appointed Ashley B. Rahaman, Christian J. Bell, and Utiki S. Laing to the Maricopa County Superior Court.
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.
Bell, Laing, and Rahaman bring extensive work in the courts and judicial experience to their new roles.
Judge Bell was born and raised in Phoenix; he was appointed a Court Commissioner in 2020 and has served in the Probate, Mental Health, and Juvenile Court Departments. He previously worked in the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Phoenix City Prosecutor’s Office, handling 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.
Born in Hawaii and raised in Arizona, Judge Laing served in 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 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 was 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,” noted Hobbs.
Notable: Rose Mofford became governor after Evan Mecham was impeached in 1988. Jane Dee Hull succeeded Fife Symington after his resignation in 1997, and Jan Brewer took office in 2009 when Janet Napolitano resigned to join President-elect Barack Obama’s administration.
Hull made history in 1997 by appointing Penny Willrich as the first African American woman to serve on the Maricopa County Superior Court.
Photos:
Judge Christian J. Bell in robe – new appointment to the Maricopa County Superior Court
Judge Utiki S. Laing being administered the oath as a newly appointed Judge for Maricopa County by AZ Governor Katie Hobbs
Judge Audrey B. Rahaman, in robe, newly appointed to the Maricopa County Superior Court
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