Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer appointed Prescott attorney Kenton Jones to the Yavapai County Superior Court on Friday.
Jones fills the vacancy created when Judge Howard Hinson retired.
"This is as exciting a time as could possibly be for me," Jones said. "This is something that I have worked toward for a long time. It is a privilege to share the bench with the judges on the Yavapai County Superior Court."
Jones is currently a magistrate in Chino Valley. He specializes in municipal law, and serves as the town attorney for Jerome, Clarkdale and Dewey-Humboldt.
Jones served in the Navy after high school, and has worked in his own law firm since 1989. He graduated from the Arizona State University College of Law in 1986, and received his undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University in 1984.
"It is an honor to appoint Kenton Jones to the Yavapai County Superior Court," Brewer said. "Kenton has extensive civil, criminal and judicial experience throughout Yavapai County, and his legal experience and longstanding involvement in the community make him well-qualified to be a superior court judge."
Jones was past chair of the Yavapai County Republican Party. He also served as the Yavapai Humane Society president for 10 years, and remains active in the Rotary Club of Prescott and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Yavapai County.
Jones had sought this position previously.
"He is an outstanding attorney who will serve the citizens of Yavapai County well as their newest judge," Brewer said.
