PHOENIX – Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew W. Gould announced on Friday his intention to retire from the bench. His departure was expected by those who believed he was considering a run for the Arizona attorney general’s spot.
Justice Gould served on the supreme court for more than three years, having started on the bench in 2017 after his 2016 appointment by Governor Ducey. His retirement is effective April 1, 2021.
Gould, who is described by politicos as an “establishmentarian,” previously served on the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One for five years. Before his appointment to the Court of Appeals, Justice Gould served as a trial judge in the Superior Court in and for Yuma County, including serving as presiding judge from 2006 through 2011, and as Associate Presiding Judge from 2001 through 2006.
“Justice Gould has remained committed to law and order throughout his career, working to ensure justice for victims and upholding the Constitution,” said Ducey in his announcement of Gould’s retirement. “A long-time public servant, Gould was a Yuma County Superior Court Judge for about 10 years, including serving as Presiding Judge, before being appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division I by Governor Jan Brewer where he served for about four years prior to his appointment to the Arizona Supreme Court.”
“The court congratulates Justice Gould on his retirement from the court,” said Chief Justice Robert Brutinel in a press release. “For more than twenty years he has been an outstanding trial judge, appellate judge and justice. The court has benefited from his wisdom, work ethic, collegiality and his commitment to the rule of law. He will be missed by his colleagues on the court and we wish him the best in his retirement.”
Under Arizona’s merit selection system, the appellate nominating commission will screen applicants within 60 days of the vacancy as part of the process of appointing a new justice to the Court. Ducey will have 60 days from receipt of the list of qualified candidates to make the appointment.