Arizona Superior Court in Pima County
Friday, November 19, 2021 by Superior Court
Pima County Presiding Judge Jeffrey T. Bergin is pleased to announce the appointment of Renee L.K. Hampson as a new Judge Pro Tempore of the Pima County Superior Court. She will fill the vacancy in Division LF created by the elevation of Hon. Kimberly Ortiz to retained Superior Court judge.
Hampson is a supervising attorney with the Office of the Pima County Public Defender. Since 2016, she has managed a team of lawyers and staff members working with criminal litigation, probation violations, post-conviction Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison (DTAP) Court. Her focus has been almost exclusively on issues relating to addiction, trauma, and mental health.
Hampson’s background and knowledge proved crucial to the planning and execution of the Superior Court’s new STEPs Court program. This pre-indictment “Supportive Treatment and Engagement Program” was brought to fruition under her guidance in the Public Defender’s Office, where she worked with several court divisions as well as the Pima County Attorney’s Office to help develop and implement STEPs Court practices and procedures.
“The Superior Court is excited to welcome Renee as its newest criminal bench pro tem judge,” said Judge Bergin. “She is highly respected and brings a wealth of experience to our court. Pima County is fortunate it will have her continued positive influence on our community.”
Before joining the Public Defender’s Office, Hampson spent ten years with the Counsel for Defense of Chelan County in Wenatchee, Washington, where she supervised attorneys representing indigent clients in the dependency and juvenile courts.
In addition to her administrative duties, Hampson held both a felony and misdemeanor caseload in the Chelan County Superior and Juvenile Courts while also representing private clients in personal injury, property and bankruptcy, and family law matters.
Hampson graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She earned her law degree from the Whitter College School of Law in Los Angeles, California.
Hampson will take the bench November 29, 2021.