6/23/2025 12:00:00 AM

Attorney Samuel Saks elected president of State Bar of Arizona

From left to right: Kelsi Lane, Samuel Saks, Doreen N. McPaul, Chris Russell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6-23-2025

Contact: Danny Shapiro, public relations manager

Phone: 602.340.7337

Email: danny.shapiro@staff.azbar.org

Attorney Samuel Saks elected president of State Bar of Arizona

PHOENIX – Attorney Samuel Saks has been elected president of the State Bar of Arizona Board of Governors.
Saks, who founded his own firm that handles personal injury and commercial litigation, will serve in the role for the next year.

Saks earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan before graduating with his JD from Wayne State University. He has 20 years of professional experience, including founding his firm, Guidant Law Firm, in 2019.

He also founded an organization that later became Legal Aid of Arizona, a free lawyer referral service that connects the public with representation and hosts educational seminars. He has been involved with the Board of Governors since 2009.
The State Bar also announced the members of its executive team on the Board of Governors.

Doreen N. McPaul transitions from vice president to president-elect. She has more than 20 years of legal experience and serves as an in-house attorney for several Arizona tribes. She is the former Navajo Nation Attorney General. McPaul will ascend to the presidency in 2026.

Kelsi Lane is the new vice president. She previously served as secretary-treasurer and is a partner at Frazer Ryan Goldberg & Arnold LLP in Phoenix.

Chris Russell joins the leadership group as secretary-treasurer. He owns his own practice in Cochise County.

Attorney Rachel Romaniuk was elected president of the Young Lawyers Division.

Outgoing board president Ted Schmidt will transition to the role of Board Advisor.

About the State Bar

The State Bar of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that operates under the supervision of the Arizona Supreme Court. The Bar includes more than 19,000 active attorneys and provides education and development programs for the legal profession and the public. Since 1933, the Bar and its members have been committed to serving the public by making sure the voices of all people in Arizona are heard in our justice system.

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Attorney Samuel Saks elected president of State Bar of Arizona

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