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Judge Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

David Kellogg, Sr. Recruiter - The Judge Group - Job Summary Our client, a growing coffee retail organization is seeking a Junior IT Hardware Analyst to support the daily management and lifecycle of ...

Technical Product Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Email Resumes to David Kellogg at the Judge Group - The Technical Product Manager owns the end-to-end product lifecycle for enterprise cloud and managed services products. This role is responsible ...

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Judge information

See Arizona salary details

$5

$30

$80

How much do judge jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for judge in Arizona is $30.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.70 and $33.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can I be a judge without a degree?

Becoming a judge typically requires a law degree and extensive legal experience, as most jurisdictions mandate a law degree from an accredited institution. In some regions, certain judicial positions may have different requirements, but generally, a law degree and bar admission are essential qualifications for judges. Additional certifications or training may also be necessary depending on the specific role and jurisdiction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a judge, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Judge, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, extensive legal experience, and a deep understanding of the law and judicial procedures. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management systems, and courtroom technology is typically required. Outstanding critical thinking, impartiality, and strong communication skills set exceptional judges apart. These competencies ensure fair, efficient, and well-reasoned judicial decisions that uphold the integrity of the legal system.

Is it hard to get a job as a judge?

Securing a job as a judge is highly competitive and requires extensive legal experience, typically including many years as a practicing attorney or legal professional. Candidates often need to be appointed or elected, and must demonstrate strong legal knowledge, integrity, and often political support or community reputation.

What is a judge?

Judges are legal professionals who preside over court proceedings, interpret and apply the law, and ensure that trials and hearings are conducted fairly. Their responsibilities include making rulings on legal matters, instructing juries, and sometimes determining the outcome of cases. Judges may work in various courts, such as criminal, civil, family, or appellate courts, depending on their area of expertise and jurisdiction. They play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and maintaining justice within the legal system.

What does a judge do?

As a judge, you can work in the state, local, or federal courts. In the courtroom, your responsibilities include overseeing the proceedings, managing the legal process, enforcing the rules of the court, ensuring that evidence is relevant to the proceedings, determining if lawyers’ requests during trials or hearings are viable, and helping to prevent jury tampering during a case. Outside the courtroom, your duties often involve performing research to help you make sound decisions in court. You evaluate and read the evidence, records, testimony, and motions that are relevant to the cases that you are presiding over.

What are some common challenges judges face in managing their courtroom and caseload?

Judges often face the challenge of balancing a high volume of cases while ensuring each receives thorough and fair consideration. Managing courtroom proceedings efficiently requires strong organizational skills, decisiveness, and the ability to handle unexpected developments, such as last-minute evidence or uncooperative parties. Additionally, judges must maintain impartiality and control over the courtroom atmosphere, even in emotionally charged or complex cases. Effective communication with attorneys, clerks, and other court staff is also essential to keep proceedings on track.

What is the difference between Judge vs Magistrate?

AspectJudgeMagistrate
CredentialsLegal degree, bar admission, judicial appointmentLegal degree, bar admission, often appointed or elected
Work EnvironmentCourts of general jurisdiction, handling serious civil/criminal casesLower courts, handling minor criminal cases, preliminary hearings, and misdemeanors
Industry UsageUsed across federal, state, and local courtsPrimarily in local and lower courts
Common Search/ComparisonJudgeMagistrate

Judges and magistrates both preside over court proceedings, but judges typically handle more complex and serious cases in higher courts, requiring extensive experience and credentials. Magistrates usually work in lower courts, managing preliminary matters and minor offenses. While both roles require legal qualifications, judges often have broader authority and responsibilities within the judicial system.

What are related careers to a judge?

Related careers to a judge include magistrates, magistrate judges, court clerks, legal analysts, and attorneys such as prosecutors and defense lawyers. These roles often require legal knowledge, strong decision-making skills, and familiarity with courtroom procedures.

What are the most commonly searched types of Judge jobs in Arizona?

The most popular types of Judge jobs in Arizona are:

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Judge jobs?

Cities in Arizona with the most Judge job openings:

Infographic showing various Judge job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,407 per year, or $30.5 per hour.

Law Clerk I with Judge Andrew M. Jacobs

Arizona Court of Appeals

Phoenix, AZ • On-site

$75K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

2026 - 2027 Judicial Law Clerkship with Judge Andrew M. Jacobs

Title: Law Clerk I or Law Clerk II
Grade: Fixed Rate
Reports To: Judicial Officer
Department:
Judicial Chambers
Exempt Status: Exempt
Status:
Full-Time (40 hours per week)
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8 hours per day
Salary: Law Clerk I:
$60,170 Law Clerk II: $75,097

Minimum Requirements:
Must be a law school graduate or a current law school student expecting to graduate before the employment start date.

**Applicants who have previously worked as a Law Clerk I for the Arizona Court of Appeals for at least one year may be eligible for hiring as a Law Clerk II, with a salary of $75,097.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

The Honorable Andrew M. Jacobs is currently accepting clerkship applications and materials from law school graduates and practicing attorneys who wish to apply for a one-year clerkship that will begin as soon as possible. Applicants may submit materials beginning immediately.

The first review date will be June 30, 2026; however, interviews may be conducted as applications are received. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application and materials as soon as possible.

Position Summary:

The Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, Law Clerk I position is an exempt salaried position. Under the direction of the Chambers Judge, a Law Clerks primary responsibility is to review briefs and the court record and to prepare a pre-draft decision in assigned cases. This position presents a rare opportunity to work directly with experienced judges and staff lawyers on complex and fascinating legal issues, improve their writing and analytical skills, and make a lasting contribution to the law in Arizona.

Apply
Please include the following materials in one combined PDF, not to exceed 15MB:

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Law School Transcript
  • Writing Sample (no more than five pages; excerpts permitted)
  • Two or Three Letters of Recommendation

IMPORTANT: Please click here for important application instructions: Important: Law Clerk I Application Instructions

Please click here to apply: Court of Appeals, Division One Job Postings


Job Description:
Cases that are assigned to a particular panel of judges are divided among the three judges on the panel, and draft decisions are prepared by law clerks or staff attorneys working with an individual judge. Law clerks may be asked to write an initial draft decision, with varying degrees of input from the assigned judge. The draft is then circulated to the other judges on the panel for consideration when the case is set for conference. At conference, the law clerk who has drafted a proposed decision may be asked to present the case to the panel of judges. The law clerks presentation generally includes a summary of the relevant facts and an analysis of the relevant law. The law clerk is expected to have thoroughly reviewed the trial court record and to be available to help answer questions about the record. The law clerk who prepared the initial draft may also be asked to assist with post-conference editing and with cite-checking the draft. During conference, law clerks also take notes on all cases presented, including cases presented by staff attorneys and other law clerks.

Essential Functions:

  • Analyze the record and legal issues and undertake legal research.
  • Draft proposed written decisions and submit to judges.
  • Participate in conference, answer judges questions, and attend oral arguments.
  • Access and utilize the Courts case management system.
  • Access and utilize SharePoint and Office 365.
  • Act as bailiff for oral arguments.
  • Law clerks may be given other projects by their judge(s). Such projects may include case law or statutory research, and assistance in handling requests for special action relief.
  • An effective law clerk does whatever is necessary to help the judge work efficiently and productively.
  • Law Clerks have shared administrative responsibilities with the chambers Judicial Assistant.
  • Law Clerks may be assigned general supervisory responsibilities for externs working in their chambers.
  • Law Clerks are bound by the ethical standards established by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

  • Bachelors degree (B.A. /B.S.)
  • Law degree from an accredited college/university and law school.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Knowledge and understanding of law, court procedures, and court systems.
  • Knowledge of legal research tools (Westlaw, Lexis Nexis, etc.).
  • Ability to work with professionalism in a busy environment.
  • High ethical standards: Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding pending court cases and business processes.
  • Ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and changes in responsibilities, duties, and procedures through cross training.
  • Superior verbal and written communication skills.
  • Superior research and analytical skills.
  • Show initiative and sound judgement in decision making.
  • Close attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills in a variety of situations.
  • Skilled in citation formatting.

Preferred Education and Experience:
Prior legal experience, including work as a lawyer, extern, or intern, is a plus. Other professional experience, particularly involving research and writing is preferred.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
NA

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to apply common sense and understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, and diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations. Ability to apply knowledge and experience to each case using parallels from other cases and deductive reasoning.

Physical Requirements and Equipment Operations:

  • Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk working on a computer.
  • Retrieve boxes and case files from low and high storage areas.
  • Lift and move up to 30 pounds.

Supervisory Responsibility:

  • This position has no direct supervisory responsibility.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other similar duties may be added, or the description amended at any time.


Selection Process
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Only applicants whose backgrounds most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to interview. Requests for a special accommodation to participate in the interview process should be made at the time you are contacted to schedule an interview. The Selection Process may include first and/or second round panel interviews. This is a Regular, Full-time, non-exempt position.


EEO and ADA Compliance
The Court of Appeals, Division One is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Everyone is encouraged to apply and compete for jobs. If you require assistance at any stage of the application/exam process or during employment, due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) 452-6708.

If you have any questions, please contact the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One Human Resources office at (602) 452-6708.