Michael C. Cudahy Criminal Justice Award
Recognizing that criminal law prosecutor who has worked tirelessly to advance the principles of criminal justice by representing the public’s interest with integrity, fairness, tenacity, creativity, brilliance and, above all, professionalism. (Award established 3/17/06)
2022 Recipient
 |
Elizabeth Burton Ortiz has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, a Master of Arts in Political Science, and a Juris Doctor. After graduating from law school, Ms. Ortiz clerked at the Arizona Court of Appeals. Ms. Ortiz then joined the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, where she served as a Bureau Chief in Juvenile, Pretrial, Charging, and Appeals. In 2009, Ms. Ortiz joined the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council (“APAAC”) and was subsequently named Executive Director. In addition to her APAAC duties, Ms. Ortiz is a sworn special prosecutor in several Arizona jurisdictions. Ms. Ortiz is co-chair of the Arizona Governor’s Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women, chair of the State Bar of Arizona Public Lawyers Executive Council, and chair of the State Bar of Arizona Criminal Justice Executive Council. She serves as a board member for National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators, National District Attorney’s Association, Arizona Forensic Science Academy, Arizona Supreme Court’s Commission of Victims in Court, State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, and State Bar Professionalism Advisory Council. Ms. Ortiz teaches throughout the United States and Mexico, and is a facilitator for the Lessons From the Holocaust: What You Do Matters course. |
Previous Recipients
The award has been presented to:
| 2006 | Rick A. Unklesbay |
| 2007 | Paul K. Charlton |
| 2008 | Daniel G. Knauss Kathleen A. Mayer |
| 2009 | Barbara LaWall |
| 2010 | Sandra M. Hansen |
| 2011 | Beth A. Anderson |
| 2012 | Sheila Polk |
| 2013 | Hon. Randall M. Howe Hon. Kent Cattani |
| 2014 | Theodore Campagnolo |
| 2015 | Kellie L. Johnson |
| 2016 | James Alan Goodwin |
| 2017 | Hon. John S. Leonardo |
| 2018 | Kimberly H. Ortiz |
| 2019 | Ryan P. Green |
| 2020 | Bill R. Hughes |
| 2021 | Kent Volkmer |
| 2022 | Elizabeth Burton Ortiz |
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
- Mark I. Harrison Excellence in Mentorship 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