Member of the Year Award
Established in May 1991, this award is 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.
2026 Recipient
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Alexis Firehawk practices in the areas of real property, contracts, business law and litigation. She is a Fellow in the College of Community Association Lawyers. Alexis counsels nonprofit and for-profit organizations of all sizes, across industries, regarding business transactions, strategy and conflict resolution. Her practice includes advising companies, boards of directors, and individuals on statutory and regulatory compliance; assisting clients with contract interpretation and negotiation; and advising clients with regard to corporate policy and procedure. She also represents companies on both sides of civil litigation, bringing affirmative claims and providing litigation defense. Alexis manages CHDB Law’s summer associate, internship/externship and mentor programs. She believes that success is inspired by building relationships. Alexis is currently the State Board President of the Arizona Women Lawyers Association, Board Chair of the Arizona Legal Professional Wellness Program, the Co-Chair of the State Bar of Arizona’s Member Assistance Council, and the Co-President of the international Mindfulness in Law Society. Prior to joining the firm, she created corporate policy for global companies and advised on Information Governance and eDiscovery issues including privacy, security, and regulatory compliance. She is admitted to practice in Arizona; US District Court, Arizona; and the US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. |
Previous Recipients
The award has been presented to:
| 1991 | Ed Hendricks William R. Jones, Jr. Tom Karas Daniel J. McAuliffe Thomas A. Zlaket |
| 1992 | Larry W. Suciu |
| 1993 | Roxana C. Bacon |
| 1994 | Kenneth J. Sherk |
| 1995 | Crane McClennen Robert E. Schmitt |
| 1996 | Diane L. Drain |
| 1997 | Charles T. Stevens |
| 1998 | Michael R. Murphy |
| 1999 | Denise M. Blommel Mary Mangotich Grier John E. Lundin |
| 2000 | Andrew R. Sherwood |
| 2001 | Robert W. Browder |
| 2002 | Craig Mehrens Ted A. Schmidt |
| 2003 | Hon. Michael Owen Miller Steven A. Hirsch |
| 2004 | Sarah R. Simmons Aaron Kizer |
| 2005 | Michael V. Mulchay Ronald W. Messerly |
| 2006 | Jeffrey H. Jacobson |
| 2007 | Lynda C. Shely |
| 2008 | Jeffrey A. Hursh |
| 2009 | Daniel J. McAuliffe |
| 2010 | J. Scott Rhodes Jeffrey Messing |
| 2011 | James E. McDougall |
| 2012 | Todd F. Lang |
| 2013 | William G. Klain |
| 2014 | Amelia Craig Cramer |
| 2015 | George C. Chen |
| 2016 | Jodi Knobel Feuerhelm Andrew Jacobs Brian J. Pollack |
| 2017 | Jo Ellen McBride |
| 2018 | Paul F. Eckstein |
| 2019 | Hon. Patricia K. Norris (ret.) |
| 2020 | Gregory R. Gautam |
| 2021 | Mark I. Harrison |
| 2022 | David D. Dodge |
| 2023 | Steven M. Guttell |
| 2024 | Regina L. Nassen |
| 2025 |
Linda Benally |
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

