James A. Walsh Outstanding Jurist Award
Recognizing that judge whose career exemplifies the highest standards of judicial conduct for integrity and independence; who is knowledgeable of the law and faithful to it; who is unswayed by partisan interests, public clamor or fear of criticism; who is patient, dignified and courteous to all who appear before that judge; and who endeavors to improve the administration of justice and public understanding of, and respect for, the role of law in our society. (Award established in 1989)
2020 Recipient
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Diane M. Johnsen: Retired Judge Diane Johnsen grew up in Arizona’s Copper Basin. She graduated in journalism from the University of Arizona, then spent five years as a political reporter and editor at the Arizona Daily Star. After graduating from Stanford Law School, she clerked for Judge Ben Duniway on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She practiced with Munger Tolles & Olson in Los Angeles before returning to Arizona in 1985 to join the firm now known as Osborn Maledon, where her practice included media law, contract and tort matters and environmental litigation. Governor Napolitano appointed her to Division One of the Court of Appeals in 2006. She served as that court’s Chief Judge, chaired the Phoenix Judicial Selection Advisory Board and was a member of the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct. She earned a Master’s of Judicial Studies from Duke University and is a member of the American Law Institute. She stepped down from the bench in February 2020 and now works part-time as Division One’s Special Projects Attorney. Retired Judge Johnsen was named the Arizona Judicial Branch’s Judge of the Year earlier in 2020. She is training to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Maricopa County. |
Previous Recipients
The award has been presented to:
| 1989 | Hon. James A. Walsh |
| 1990 | Hon. William P. Copple |
| 1991 | Hon. James Duke Cameron |
| 1992 | Hon. Frank X. Gordon, Jr. |
| 1993 | Hon. Alice Truman |
| 1994 | Hon. Stanley G. Feldman |
| 1995 | Hon. Robert B. Buchanan |
| 1996 | Hon. James Moeller |
| 1997 | Hon. Jack L. Ogg |
| 1998 | Hon. Ronald S. Reinstein |
| 1999 | Hon. Elizabeth R. Finn |
| 2000 | Hon. William C. Canby, Jr. |
| 2001 | Hon. Thomas A. Zlaket |
| 2002 | Hon. Edward L. Dawson |
| 2003 | Hon. Michael Daly Hawkins |
| 2004 | Hon. Mary Murphy Schroeder Hon. George B. Nielsen, Jr. |
| 2005 | Hon. Michael D. Ryan |
| 2006 | Hon. Stephen M. McNamee |
| 2007 | Hon. C. Kimball Rose (posthumously) |
| 2008 | Hon. Barry C. Schneider |
| 2009 | Chief Justice Ruth V. McGregor |
| 2010 | Hon. Barbara Rodriguez Mundell |
| 2011 | Hon. John M. Roll (posthumously) |
| 2012 | Hon. James M. Marlar |
| 2013 | Hon. Robert L. Gottsfield |
| 2014 | Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch |
| 2015 | Hon. Lawrence F. Winthrop |
| 2016 | Hon. Andrew G. Klein |
| 2017 | Hon. Patricia K. Norris |
| 2018 | Hon. G. Murray Snow |
| 2019 | Chief Justice W. Scott Bales |
| 2020 | Hon. Diane M. Johnsen (ret.) |
State Bar Annual Awards
- Award of Appreciation
- Award of Special Merit
- Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award
- Hon. John R. Sticht Disability Achievement Award
- James A. Walsh Outstanding Jurist Award
- Member of the Year Award
- Michael C. Cudahy Criminal Justice Award
- Outstanding In-House Counsel of the Year Award
- President's Award
- Sharon A. Fullmer Legal Aid Attorney of the Year Award
- Tom Karas Criminal Justice Award