State Bar Annual Awards

2020 Annual Award Recipients Announced (view video with awards winners below)

Each year, the State Bar of Arizona recognizes exceptional contributions by individuals and organizations that enhance and promote the legal profession. The Board of Governors is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 annual State Bar awards. For full award information and winner bios, click links to the left of your screen.

Award of Appreciation (non-lawyer)
Rick DeBruhl, RickDeBruhl.com

Award of Special Merit
Stacy Rupprecht Butler, Director, Innovation for Justice Program at UA James E. Rogers College of Law
Denice R. Shepherd, Law Office of Denice R. Shepherd PC

Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award
Hon. David B. Gass, Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One
Ashley Villaverde Halvorson, Jones Skelton & Hochuli PLC

Hon. John R. Sticht Disability Achievement Award
Rose Daly-Rooney, Arizona Center for Disability Law

James A. Walsh Outstanding Jurist Award
Hon. Diane M. Johnsen (ret.)

Member of the Year Award
Gregory R. Gautam, Snell & Wilmer LLP

Michael C. Cudahy Criminal Justice Award
Bill R. Hughes, Yavapai County Attorney’s Office

Outstanding In-House Counsel of the Year Award
Lisa Bossard Funk, Mister Car Wash
Michael J. Minnaugh, III, Valley Metro

Sharon A. Fullmer Legal Aid Attorney of the Year Award
January F. E. Contreras, Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services
Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project

Tom Karas Criminal Justice Award
Richard L. Lougee, Jr., Richard L. Lougee
Randall S. Papetti, Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP

The only award that is not decided by the Board of Governors is the President's Award. The president chooses an attorney(s) who has contributed enormous effort towards the furtherance of the president's goals and priorities during his or her year as president. This year, two recipients will receive this recognition:

President's Award
Dr. Kolette A. Butler, Verdant Hope Therapy & Evaluations LLC
Hon. Donn G. Kessler (ret.)

2020 State Bar Award Winners Video