Awarded to the attorney who has manifested adherence to the highest principles and tradition of the legal professional and service to the public in the community in which he lives.

Nominations are due March 15th and are to include the individual's name; firm if applicable; address & other contact information; the award for which they are being nominated and contact information of the nominators; a summary of their characteristics, experiences, and service that qualifies them for the award; and support letters from others may be included. The nomination packets should be sent to The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education, ATTN: Kevin S. Ruegg, 4201 N. 24th Street, Suite 210, Phoenix, AZ 85016 or fax to (602)271.4930.

Awards Acknowledged in conjunction with the Foundation participation in the annual Arizona State Bar Convention.

2008 Award

Michael Flood has been practicing law for over 40 years at Jennings Strouss & Salmon. He began his career after he graduated with distinction from the University of Arizona Law School in 1965. Mike’s legal practice was primarily focused on the defense of personal injury lawsuit, and he has tried over 100 cases in state and federal courts. In addition he has served as a mediator and arbitrator in various dispute resolutions. Further, Mike has served as a Judge Pro Tem on both the Arizona Court of Appeals and Maricopa County Superior Court. Mike has also been very active in various professional organizations. He is a Past President of the Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, and a Founding Fellow of the Arizona Bar Foundation. He is involved in a variety of community organizations including: the Arizona Law College Association, the St. Thomas Moore Society, the Catholic Community Foundation Legacy Committee, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Florence Crittendon Home, just to name a few. For his various legal and personal activities Mike has received a number of awards but despite all these accomplishments, the legal community readily acknowledges that Mike remains a humble man who represents all that is good about the legal profession.

2007 Award

William Haug is a partner at Jennings Haug & Cunningham. A native Arizonan born in Globe, Bill has been practicing law since 1956. For 10 years he served as an elected member of the Creighton Elementary School District Board, including holding the office of President on 3 different occasions. He has been President of the Memorial Presbyterian Church and the Camelback Little League. He has also been the President of the Maricopa County Bar Association, State Bar of Arizona and the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education – an agency he helped found. He has also had a national presence by serving as Chairman of the Fidelity and Surety Law Committee and Secretary/Treasure for the Torts and Insurance Practice section of the American Bar Association. He continues to take referrals from the Volunteer Lawyer Program and spearheads the firm's involvement in providing pro bono representation. As one of his friends and colleagues said, "Bill never assumes that it is enough just to show up. In almost every aspect of his life, he has assumed the mantle of leadership and has been willing to serve and to give of himself."

2006 Award

Ted Schmidt is a stellar example of a premier lawyer who is a tireless community volunteer. Professionally, Ted has stood at the forefront of many issues. His case, Sparks v. Republic National Life Insurance, is the landmark bad faith case and it still cited nationwide. In 2002, the State Bar of Arizona recognized Ted as its Member of the Year. His two premier accomplishments with the State Bar are his founding and chairing the Arizona Trial College and his work in the Wrongful Death and Bodily Injury Certification Committee. Ted also remains devoted to his family. He is an outstanding supporter for the local youth sports programs, volunteers for his daughter's Girl Scout Troop, and he was an active Scout Leader for his sons' Boy Scouts Troop, which allowed him to receive the Silver Beaver, one of the Scout's highest honors. Ted and his wife, Ann, have also established the Tara Nicole Schmidt Have a Dream Scholarship in remembrance of their daughter at the University of Arizona that allows two Arizona high school graduates to go to college each year. Ted embodies dedication, integrity, fairness, and service.

Past Winners

2005
Daniel J. McAuliffe (Snell & Wilmer, LLP., Phoenix)

2004
Paul Eckstein (Brown & Bain, P.A., Phoenix)

2003
Peter D. Baird (Lewis & Roca LLP, Phoenix)

2002
Mark Harrison (Osborn Maledon PA, Phoenix)

2001
Larry Hammond (Osborn Maledon PA, Phoenix)

2000
Grace McIlvain (Haralson, Miller, Pitt & McAnally)

1999
Kenneth J. Sherk (Fennemore Craig)

1998
John J. Bouma (Snell & Wilmer)

1997
D. Burr Udall (Chandler, Tullar, Udall & Redhair)

1996
Hon. Thomas Tang

1995
Edward Jacobson (Snell & Wilmer)

1994
Ashby I. Loshe

1993
Calvin H. Udall (Fennemore Craig)

1992
John P. Frank (Lewis & Roca)

1991
Elias M. Romley (Sole Practitioner)

1990
Charles E. Ares

1989
H. Karl Mangum

1988
Philip E. vonAmmon

1987
Mark Wilmer