Awarded to recognize extraordinary contributions by an Arizona Attorney in making legal services available to persons who otherwise could not afford them, and thereby to focus public awareness on the substantial voluntary services by Arizona attorneys in this area. Renamed in 2000 to honor the memory of William E. Morris, a long-time attorney for the poor in Arizona.

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.

2009 Award

Dean Christoffel has been involved with VLP for 27 years. In that time, he has assisted nearly 400 clients, including some of the most vulnerable domestic violence clients seen by VLP. Taking cases is only a small part of Dean’s commitment to providing access to all Arizonans. He trains, supervises and mentors students each semester in the VLP law student program, serves on the Family Law Section Executive Council, and serves on the Pima County Bar Association Family Law Section. But Dean still wanted to do more, so he asked VLP how else he could help – specifically in rural areas. As a result, he started recruiting for rural volunteers (traveling to different rural areas to promote the program), wrote letters to each attorney attending a rural presentation (over 60) to encourage them to participate, and agreed to lead VLP's efforts with regard to the development and implementation of rural-based clinics. Dean Christoffel has consistently gone above and beyond.

2008 Award

Debra Hill a partner in the Phoenix law firm of Osborn Maledon, P.A., has been with the firm for 20 years, actively dedicating her time to the law and public community service.

Her list of accomplishments starts with Homeward Bound, an organization that assists homeless and domestic violence families with children achieve economic independence. Ms. Hill was one of the early board members of Homeward Bound and chaired its board of directors. She remains actively involved in the program.

Ms. Hill also has been deeply involved in the representation of jail detainees and inmates in the state prison system on matters that relate to their mental and physical well-being.

Ms. Hill has played a leadership role in many community organizations, including Arizona Town Hall and the Fiesta Bowl Committee. She also is a partner in Social Venture Partners of Arizona and is a graduate of Valley Leadership. In addition, she has served as president of what was then the Arizona Bar Foundation, is an active member of the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice and is involved in the Foundation for Global Leadership, a group that helps to provide resources to individuals and enterprises in Africa.

2007 Award

Cary Inabinet is an attorney at the Office of the Attorney General in Sierra Vista. His involvement in pro bono work spans over 20 years and 2 counties. Originally volunteering with Community Legal Services VLP program in Maricopa County, Cary moved to Cochise County in 2001, and bega working Southern Arizona Legal Aid's VLP. He has launched several clinics targeted at domestic violence and the elderly. Two of his piloted programs have assisted 432 rural clients over the last 6 years. Through the VLP, Cary has also organized and presented in many CLE seminars for rural attorneys, who rarely have access to live CLE presentations. Cary has touched the community and Volunteer Lawyer Program by providing a variety of services. His leadership in the pro bono community and service on the VLP Advisory Board has been a shining example for recruitment of pro bono attorneys.

2006 Award

Tom Roberts has been a member of the Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) for twenty years. In that time he has personally provided pro bono legal assistance to two hundred and seventy-two clients. He also leads the Advice Only Clinic for the VLP. In the clinic Tom meets with prescheduled clients to determine the legal merits of their case, provide advice, and determine the next course of action. For more than twenty years Tom has worked to make the idea of equal access to justice a reality. Among his efforts, he has volunteered his time as a member and Co-Chair of the VLP advisory board. In order to protect the homes, wages, and vehicles of Native Americans living in poverty, Tom has traveled to Apache and Navajo counties from his home in Tucson. And, to advance the quality of life of Southern Arizonan's seniors, Tom has chosen to provide them with legal advice with regard to complicated contract and real property matters. The combination of Tom's commitment to equal access to justice, his seemingly endless volunteer service, as well as his admirable personal qualities, make him a worthy recipient of this award.

Past Winners

2005
Scott Gan

2004
David Engelman

2003
Pamela Liberty

2002
Alyce Pennington

2001
Luis Ochoa (DeConcini McDonald Yetwin & Lacy, Tucson)

2000
Steven Cox (Waterfall, Economidid, Caldwell, Hanshaw & Villamana)

1999
Wayne Yehling (DeConcini, McDonald, Yetwin & Lacy)

1998
Michael McGrath (Mesch, Clark & Rothschild)

1997
Christina Urias (DeConcini, McDonald, Yetwin & Lacy)

1996
Philip (Jay) McCarthy, Jr. (Hufford, Horstman, Mongini, Parnell & McCarthy)

1995
Michael J. Tucker (Polese, Pietzsch, Williams & Nolan)

1994
Dianne C. Kerns (Sole Practitioner) Robert E. Mites

1993
Hon. Robert W. Pickrell (Sole Practitioner) Thomas M. Lyon

1992
Rev. David A. Meyers

1991
Lawrence A. Hammond (Osborn Maledon)

1990
Nancy M. Coomer (Sole Practitioner)

1989
John A. Greene (Tiffany & Bosco)

1988
William T. Birmingham (Sole Practitioner)

1987
Ted F. Warner (Warner, Angle, Roper & Hallam)