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.

2013 Recipient

ROBERT L. GOTTSFIELD is a graduate of State University of New York, (Binghamton) (B.A.1956), Cornell Law School, (J.D. 1960), and ASU (Master of Counseling 1981). He clerked for the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, in Albany N. Y. (1960 – 1962) and became a research staff attorney to the Court (1963). He joined the Phoenix law firm of Rawlins, Ellis, Burrus & Kiewit, in 1963, and eventually became a partner specializing in banking, bonds and commercial litigation. He has over 130 legal publications and has been a panelist in over 100 county bar and State Bar CLE seminars. He has previously received a Continuing Legal Education Award from the State Bar (1988). Co-founder of the Phoenix University Club. Co-Founder and Chair, for many years beginning in 1981, of the then Law and Counseling and Dispute Resolution Committee (now a section of the State Bar). He received a Declaration of Appreciation from the Arizona Youth & Government Program of the YMCA for 35 years participation (2007), among numerous other civic activities. He was recently inducted into the Maricopa County Bar Association’s Hall of Fame (2012). He is a retired but called back full-time Superior Court Judge serving in the criminal division, on which court he has served 33 years.

Previous Recipients

The award has been presented to: