James A. Walsh Outstanding Jurist Award
Established in April 1989, this award recognizes 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.
2023 Recipient
Hon. Samuel A. Thumma Sam co-teaches evidence at ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. He has presented nearly 500 law-related programs and published 15 law review articles and 60 other law-related articles. Sam served as a Judge on the Maricopa County Superior Court for five years; a partner at Perkins Coie Brown & Bain, P.A., Phoenix, and an associate at Arnold & Porter, Washington, D.C. He clerked for Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Stanley G. Feldman and Federal Judge David R. Hansen, Northern District of Iowa. Sam received a Master of Laws, Duke University School of Law (2020); J.D., Order of the Coif, University of Iowa College of Law (1988), and B.S., Iowa State University (1984), where he was a Truman Scholar. |
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.) |
2021 | Hon. Joseph Kreamer |
2022 | Hon. Kyle A. Bryson |
2023 | Hon. Samuel A. Thumma |
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