MARICOPA COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE: CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR COURT IN MARICOPA COUNTY TO STEP DOWN, TRANSITION TO ROLE SERVING COURTS STATEWIDE

Jeff Fine, the Clerk of the Superior Court in Maricopa County, will step down from his position, effective April 2, 2025, to serve Arizonans in a statewide role.

“Serving my community as Clerk has been one of the most impactful and rewarding experiences of my life,” Fine said. “What fills me with the greatest pride and gratitude is the extraordinary accomplishments of the Clerk team. They have uniquely excelled in developing and leveraging emerging technology to streamline processes, connect customers with information, and boldly expand options to obtain services online. Their achievements in advancing access to justice are truly unparalleled and distinguished.”

Fine has accepted a position with the Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) where he will provide support to courts across the state and manage initiatives focused on advancing Arizona’s justice systems.

“Looking ahead, I am grateful and enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring my experience as a clerk of court, judicial officer, and court administrator to my new role in serving courts and communities across the state,” said Fine.

Clerk Fine submitted a letter (attached to this release) Friday to the Secretary of State, as required in A.R.S. § 38-294(6), and the Governor, who will be tasked with appointing a new Clerk of the Superior Court for Maricopa County pursuant to Ariz. Const. Art. V § 8 and A.R.S. §§ 16-230 and 41-101, who will serve temporarily until the next election.

About Jeff Fine

Fine was sworn in as the Clerk of the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County on January 9, 2019, after being elected in November 2018, becoming the 11th person to hold this position. As Clerk, Fine serves as the official record keeper and financial officer for the Superior Court, overseeing operations with 650 personnel across eight locations. He and his team support over 160 judicial officers, serve a constituency of over four million Arizonans, and manage an office that supports the fourth largest county and trial court system in the nation.

Since taking office, Fine and his team have focused on advancing access to justice, process improvement, leveraging technology, enhancing customer experience, developing and empowering highly effective teams, and fostering a positive and professional work environment that attracts and retains talent. Fine has served on nine state Judicial Branch task forces and committees and was recognized in 2023 with the Arizona Distinguished Service Administration of Justice Award.

Since 2019, the Clerk’s Office and its team members have been recognized with 37 awards for excellence and innovation. Notable organizational achievements include:

• Substantial expansion of online services for filing court documents, payments, applications, and submission of digital evidence.
• Development of emerging technologies to automate document processing operations and routine tasks.
• Development of AI-based online virtual assistance.
• Creation of a communications team to connect with and inform the community about critical court services.
• Integration of business intelligence technology enabling data-driven management, decision-making, and planning.
• In-house development and seamless rollout of a new court finance system.
• Formation of highly collaborative relationships with justice partners.
• Development and implementation of effective recruitment and retention strategies.

Prior to his role as Clerk, Fine served four years as the court administrator for the Maricopa County Justice Courts. Before that, he served Arizona’s busiest justice court precinct as Justice of the Peace. Fine also has experience as a municipal court administrator, judicial enforcement officer, police officer, and corrections officer. Additionally, he served over 20 years in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve.

For more information on the Clerk’s Office, please visit www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov.