Michael C. Cudahy Criminal Justice Award
Established in March 2006, this award recognizes that criminal law prosecutor who 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.
2023 Recipient
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Brad Carlyon is a veteran prosecutor who has served as the Navajo County Attorney since 2009. Throughout his more than 30-year career, Brad has worked to secure justice for victims and forged collaborations and programs to improve the criminal justice system. A third-generation Arizonan, Brad earned his law degree from University of Arizona College of Law. He worked briefly in private law before beginning his long tenure in public service. He has previously served as Deputy County Attorney and Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore in Navajo County, and Chief Deputy County Attorney for the Apache County Attorney’s Office. Brad champions victims’ rights and services, including spearheading establishment of the Navajo County Family Advocacy Center, which assists victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and creating the Navajo County Attorney’s Office Victims’ Rights Symposium, now in its 12th year. He fosters partnership among law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, defenders, probation and community services to holistically address crime and victims in Navajo County communities. Brad has helped establish or enhance several diversion and deflection programs for adults and juveniles and is committed to helping Navajo County address the complex issues surrounding mental health, substance abuse and crime. |
Previous Recipients
The award has been presented to:
| 2006 | Rick A. Unklesbay |
| 2007 | Paul K. Charlton |
| 2008 | Daniel G. Knauss Kathleen A. Mayer |
| 2009 | Barbara LaWall |
| 2010 | Sandra M. Hansen |
| 2011 | Beth A. Anderson |
| 2012 | Sheila Polk |
| 2013 | Hon. Randall M. Howe Hon. Kent Cattani |
| 2014 | Theodore Campagnolo |
| 2015 | Kellie L. Johnson |
| 2016 | James Alan Goodwin |
| 2017 | Hon. John S. Leonardo |
| 2018 | Kimberly H. Ortiz |
| 2019 | Ryan P. Green |
| 2020 | Bill R. Hughes |
| 2021 | Kent Volkmer |
| 2022 | Elizabeth Burton Ortiz |
| 2023 | Bradley W. Carlyon |
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