Distinguished Public Lawyer Award

The Public Lawyers Section established the Distinguished Public Lawyer Award in 1990 to recognize the work and dedication of outstanding public attorneys.

A public attorney is a licensed attorney who: (1) works for a government agency (federal, state or local) or nonprofit legal aid office; or (2) provides legal services to a government agency or agencies where legal services provided amount to at least 50% of the attorney's legal practice.

Nominees must have at least five (5) years of experience as a public attorney and exhibit a dedication and commitment to public service and the public practice of law. Nominees may also distinguish themselves by making significant contributions that aid in the operation of government or by demonstrating extraordinary leadership, initiative, or innovation in the performance of their duties. Elected public officials are not eligible for this award.

2012 Recipient

Gary Restaino graduated from Haverford College in 1990 and from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1996. Between college and law school he worked on water sanitation projects in rural Paraguay with the Peace Corps. He began his legal career representing farmworkers with Community Legal Services. He subsequently served for several years in the Arizona Attorney General's Office litigating consumer and civil rights cases.

Since 2003, Gary has worked in a variety of prosecution practice groups as an Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Attorney's Office. He also worked in Washington with the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice in 2009-2010, and he has taught trial advocacy and principles of prosecution in Colombia and Mexico through the Department's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training.

Gary is a member of the Public Lawyers Section of the State Bar, and previously served on its Executive Council. He is the current Chair of the Legal Services Committee of the State Bar, and previously served on the Board of the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education. From 1997-2009 he also served on the Board of Clínica Adelante, a community health center serving rural Maricopa County.

Previous Recipients

The award has been presented to: