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 1st 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.

2013 Award

Barbara Dawson
Barbara Dawson′s professional achievements as a commercial litigator with Snell & Wilmer alone would make her a worthy candidate for this award, but it is her many years of leadership on access to justice issues that truly show her "adherence to the highest principles and tradition of the legal profession."

In 1991, Barb co-founded a legal clinic that provided legal services to HIV-positive persons and those affected by HIV. She both organized and personally staffed this effort. She recruited more attorneys from her firm and then other firms, all while also securing financial support from the program. The HIV-AIDS Law Project (still alive today and housed with the Volunteer Lawyers Program) has impacted thousands of individuals.

Barb Dawson also spearheaded the ABA′s Judicial Internship Opportunity Program, which places many underprivileged and minority law students with summer judicial clerkships. The national program offers approximately 200 annual judicial internships each year. Other accomplishments include serving as Board President for the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education; serving as the Chair of the State Bar Association Legal Services Committee; serving on the Bar′s Access to Justice Task Force; serving as Chair of the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation; serving on the Homeward Bound Board of Directors; serving as a member of the Phoenix Public Defender Review Board; and serving as a member of Valley Leadership.

Being a strong leader is not just a role she plays, but also one she seeks out in others. She has made a strong commitment to assisting young lawyers in reaching their full leadership potential, both personally and professional, in our community and internationally.

Barb is a true community connector. She leads by example and asks others to join her in ensuring successful access to justice programs. She is highly respected as a lawyer by her peers and clients, and she has a long record of service to her community.

2012 Award

Justice Michael D. Ryan
Justice Michael D. Ryan was justice on the Arizona Supreme Court, a position held since 2002. Ryan effectively retired from the court in August 2010. He passed away in January 2012. Michael's colorful career includes services in the Vietnam War where he received two Purple Heart medals, in addition to a Bronze Star for actions in combat. Following his military experience, Michael earned his J.D. from Arizona State University Law School in 1977. Michael began his professional career working for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, as Deputy County Attorney. From there, Michael excelled and gradually progressed to full-time judge when he was appointed by the Governor in 1986. Michael was appointed to the state's highest court in 2002 by Governor Jane Dee Hull. Numerous award and accolades speak volumes on the career of Michael and his outstanding service in Arizona. Michael and his wife Karen cared for more than 80 at-risk infants prior to their adoption between 1974 and 2000. Michael Ryan's contribution to his community and the entire state of Arizona was exceptional.

2011 Award

Robert Schmitt
"Bob is one of the finest trial lawyers in all of Arizona. He is known not only for his skill and preparation but for his integrity and congenial personality. "Mr. Schmitt has been recognized as an American College of Trial Lawyers Fellow, a "Best Lawyers in America," "Arizona's Finest Lawyers," and "Southwest Super-lawyers." Robert served on the Supreme Court of Arizona's Committee of Character and Fitness, on the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments, as a Board Member for the Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, as a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and served as Chairman of the State Bar of Arizona's Appointments Committee. He has been active in both the Yavapai and Yuma County Bar Associations - the latter of which he served a term as President. "Bob simply will not say no to any request no matter how demanding if it involves helping others." Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt raised four children of their own, and once the oldest moved out of the house they began taking in foreign exchange students. They also took in two foster children, one of which they adopted. "Bob's contribution to his community is unparalleled."

2010 Award

Robert Bartels has been a law professor at ASU since the early 1980s. He is considered, by many former students and colleagues, to be one of the best law professors in the state and has mentored thousands of young attorneys, promoting public service to each one. However, his commitment to his students is only a part of what makes Bartels a worthy Walter E. Craig recipient. Bob also is a dedicated pro bono attorney, having provided thousands of hours of service to indigent clients over the years. In McDonald v. Thomas, Bob provided hundreds of hours of time to the Arizona Supreme Court case which resulted in approximately 200 inmates receiving equitable commutations of their prison sentences. Bartels also took on Byron Lacy's case – Lacy was convicted of first-degree murder and had spent years in prison before Bob proved that it was physically impossible for Mr. Lacy to have committed the crime.

Bob is a member of the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest's board as well as a mentor for the Arizona Justice Project. "Bob Bartels is the catalyst behind my pro bono work for the Justice Project and my continued dedication to public service work. He showed me just how important it is to work in the pursuit of justice." -Former ASU law student.

2009 Award

Bill Jones has given a lifetime of service to the legal profession, working in many different capacities to improve it. He has served on Governor's and State Bar committees as an instructor, lecturer or adjunct professor, and as a member of various professional associations. Bill has written Arizona legislation and served as a member of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Scottsdale Memorial Health Systems, where he was named annual honoree by their Foundation at the Honor Ball. Bill Jones is a tireless worker for causes in which he believes.

To read Mr. Jones' speech from the awards luncheon, please click here.

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."

Past Winners

2006
Ted Schmidt

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