Sedona will soon see a new judge on the dais presiding over the magistrate court.
The city announced recently that Magistrate Judge Lisa Parsons is stepping down from the bench after being appointed to that position in March 2020.
Parsons was hired as judge following Mike Goimarac’s tenure on the bench, who was preceded by Lew Levin. Parsons’ last day is Thursday, Aug. 26.
The position, which is listed on the city’s website, will be open until it’s filled. Until then pro-tem magistrate judges will fill in.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the people of Sedona for the last seven years, both as a prosecutor and as a judge,” Parsons said. “Changing roles from prosecutor to judge has been both interesting and very rewarding. In the judge role, it is very satisfying to feel like I am helping people resolve what is likely one of the hardest things they will ever have to deal with in their lives.”
Parsons said she took the bench at what would prove to be a particularly challenging time — just as the global pandemic was being declared. Her first meeting on her first day as presiding judge was to discuss how the city would shut down and arrange for staff to work from home.
“Over the following year I addressed a number of challenges,” she said. “Of course I had to get comfortable in my role as a judge. As presiding, I was also in charge of court staff, implementing orders from the Arizona Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Courts and the mayor.
“In addition to the challenges brought by the pandemic, I worked to stabilize court staff, improve court process for efficiency, and bring the court into compliance with required reporting, records retention and minimum accounting standards. I learned to lead in extremely difficult circumstances, and I am grateful for the opportunities the city of Sedona has provided. I will miss the court staff but know they have the knowledge and skills necessary to assist in the transition to whoever is the newly appointed judge.”
Her next role will be with the Arizona Supreme Court’s Administrative Office of the Courts. There, she will be helping attorneys who want to become certified to practice law in Arizona.
“I am passionate about the important role courts play in the day-to-day lives of people and look forward to the opportunity to continue serving the community,” Parsons said.
The employment packet states that the candidate has the option of the job being part- or full-time. At full-time, the high end of the pay scale is $120,000 a year.
“The city of Sedona’s Magistrate Judge serves as presiding officer of the City Court. The judge performs adjudication of petitions for protective orders, violations of Arizona traffic and criminal laws, the municipal ordinances of the city of Sedona, in compliance with the Constitution, Supreme Court rules of procedure, rules of evidence, administrative rules and regulations of the Arizona Supreme Court and the charter and ordinances of the city.
“The city is seeking a strong, hands-on leader with solid legal ethics and integrity. The Judge must have the ability to focus on personnel management, teamwork, respond timely to staffing issues, and have excellent internal communication abilities.”
