Former Santa Cruz County prosecutor Kimberly Hanley has been appointed as the Chief Deputy Officer of the Pima County Attorney’s Office, officials said Friday.

“A veteran career prosecutor with decades of experience and extensive management expertise, Hanley is set to bring in invaluable leadership and knowledge to PCAO,” the official said.

Hanley will begin her new role on May 12, 2025. She will replace Baird Green, the former Chief Deputy Deputy Officer who left PCAO last fall in the office 30 years later.

A graduate of the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law, Hanley began her legal career in Pima County and worked as a prosecutor for eight years. She worked in private practice for several years before joining the Santa Cruz County Attorney’s Office, where she worked for the past 15 years as a prosecutor, Chief Citizens’ Deputy Director and Chief Deputy Director of the Office.

Hanley also works as a senior litigation attorney for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, where she worked in private practices for several years, where she handled criminal defense and complicated civil cases, the PCAO said.

Last year, Hanley led the charges against rancher George Alan Kelly, who was accused of two-degree murder of an unarmed Mexican man near Nogales. After a month-long trial, the ju judge refused to convince Kelly, and the superior court judge declared misconduct.

Hanley will return to PCAO to oversee management and operations and serve as a proxy county attorney if the county attorney is not available, officials said.

“I am honored to be part of the Pima County Lawyer’s Office as the new Associate Deputy County Attorney,” Hanley said in a released statement. “This role provides an incredible opportunity to use my skills and experience to help the talented PCAO team fulfill our mission as Minister of Justice.

“I am committed to fostering a workplace where all team members are superior, and I am dedicated to serving Pima County and supporting the vision of Connover’s attorneys in Connover to implement restorative justice practices to heal, promote accountability, reconciliation and ensure the safety of our communities.

PCAO said Hunley’s appointment would come at a “time of extreme growth and innovation at PCAO.”

“By talking to Santa Cruz County Attorney George Silva and Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays, we know that we will do our best to both agencies for our best wishes for the future here.”