Convention Awards

The Board of Governors approved the creation of the following awards to be presented at the annual Bar Convention:

Award of Appreciation:  to be presented to that individual(s) who is not a member of the Bar in recognition of outstanding service toward the creation of a better public understanding of the legal profession and the administration of justice, the judiciary or the legislative process.  (Award established in 1988) Previous Recipients

Award of Special Merit:  to be presented to that member(s) of the State Bar of Arizona who has made significant contributions to the furtherance of public understanding of the legal system, the administration of justice and confidence in the legal profession. (Award established in 1988)
Previous Recipients

Hon. John R. Sticht Excellence in Disabilities Accessibility Award: (Deadline to apply is April 30)Awarded to private and/or public legal employers for their efforts to improve access to the Arizona judicial system for persons with disabilities in the legal profession, including lawyers, paralegals and court and law firm staff. The awards are presented at the State Bar Convention, and at a ceremony at the State Capitol in July, the annual anniversary of the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The Industrial Commission of Arizona was honored in 2011. Previous Recipients

James A. Walsh Outstanding Jurist Award:  to be presented to 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 him; 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) Previous Recipients

Member of the Year Award:  to be presented to that attorney(s) who has rendered extraordinary contributions to the programs and activities of the State Bar in the prior year.  Hundreds, even thousands, of the Bar's members contribute their time and talent to the work of the Bar, but this award is limited to that individual(s) whose contributions are exceptional.  (Award established in 1991) Previous Recipients

Michael C. Cudahy Criminal Justice Award:  to be presented to the criminal law prosecutor who during his or her career 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) Previous Recipients

Sharon A. Fullmer Legal Aid Attorney of the Year Award:  to be presented to that legal services lawyer in Arizona whose service to low-income people encompasses both aggressive advocacy on behalf of individuals in extreme need as well as impact advocacy designed to address systemic issues affecting significant numbers of low-income people.  (Award established in 1997) Previous Recipients

Tom Karas Criminal Justice Award:  to be presented to that criminal defense practitioner who during his or her career has worked tirelessly to advance the principles of criminal justice by representing clients or the public with integrity, fairness, tenacity, creativity, brilliance and above all professionalism.  (Award established 2004; amended language 3/17/06) Previous Recipients

Others awards are presented at convention by the Public Lawyers Section, standing committees, the Young Lawyers Division, and the President of the State Bar. They include:

Career Achievement Award - Public Lawyer

Committee on Minorities and Women in the Law Award

Continuing Legal Education Award

Distinguished Public Lawyer Award

Hal Israel Community Service Award

Justice Michael D. Ryan Award for Judicial Excellence

Outstanding Young Lawyer Award

President's Award