James A. Walsh
Outstanding Jurist Award

The Board of Governors presents this award to a 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.  The award was established in 1989.

2012 Recipient

The 2012 award will be presented to Hon. James M. Marlar at the State Bar Luncheon on Friday, June 22 at the State Bar Convention.

In December 1993, Judge Marlar was appointed U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Arizona, with his primary duty station in Tucson, Arizona.  In December 2007 he was reappointed for a second 14‑year term.  He travels within the District of Arizona, also hearing cases in Phoenix and Yuma.  Judge Marlar served a seven‑year term on the Ninth Circuit's Bankruptcy Appellate Panel from 1999 to 2006.  He was appointed, for a four-year term, as the District's chief bankruptcy judge on June 28, 2009.

Judge Marlar graduated from Stanford University in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in history and from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1970, where he was a member of the Arizona Law Review.

Prior to his judicial appointment, he practiced in the areas of bankruptcy and commercial litigation in Phoenix for 23 years and served as a Judge Pro Tempore on the Arizona Court of Appeals.

Previous Recipients

The award has been presented to: