News Release: Yavapai County, Arizona - Selection of Judge Pro Tempore

Published on November 19, 2025

NEWS RELEASE

Superior Court in Yavapai County
Contact: Brittany O’Neil, Deputy Court Administrator
Phone: 928-771-3168
Email: boneil@courts.az.gov

November 18, 2025

Selection of Judge Pro Tempore

YAVAPAI COUNTY, ARIZONA – Presiding Judge John D. Napper is pleased to announce his selection of Kristen L. Sharifi as Judge Pro Tempore, Division A, for the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Kristyne Schaaf-Olson of the Superior Court.

There were 10 applicants for the position and 5 were interviewed by a selection committee. Presiding Judge Napper selected the successor for this position after interviewing two finalists identified by the selection committee, reviewing applicant qualifications, and considering public comment. When announcing his decision, Judge Napper stated, “It is my pleasure to nominate Ms. Sharifi as a Pro Tem for the Superior Court. Ms. Sharifi has spent her entire career working on behalf of her fellow citizens. She has represented the people of the United States, Arizona, and Yavapai County with honor and distinction. I look forward to her joining our bench and continuing her career as a public servant. The people will continue to be well served by her commitment to justice.”

Presiding Judge Napper is requesting that the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court’s formal appointment of Judge Kristen L. Sharifi be effective December 15th, 2025. The appointment is also subject to the approval of the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors. Judge Sharifi will serve primarily in the Prescott Judicial District.

The members of the selection committee were the Honorable Michael P. McGill, Selection Committee Chair and Superior Court Division 1 Judge, the Honorable Debra R. Phelan, Superior Court Division 8 Judge, Wendy Ross, Director of Yavapai County Human Resources and Risk Management, Stephen Polk, Esq., and Julie Malinowski, Yavapai County Superior Court Administrator.

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