Awards Presented by the MCBA

Robert R. Mills Member of the Year: 

Any MCBA member is invited to nominate another current member of the MCBA who meets the criteria listed below: 

  • significantly contributes to the programs and activities of the MCBA;
  • dedicates himself or herself to furthering the goals of the legal profession and promoting the ideal of professionalism; and/or
  • shows an outstanding commitment to public service, including charitable, cultural, humanitarian and/or educational service to the community at large.

Mills Member of the Year Award Recipients:

• 2012:  Hon. Glenn Davis
• 2013:  Jennifer Cranston
• 2014:  Stan Watts
• 2015:  Kelly Kral
• 2016:  Tina Ziegler
• 2017:  Dan Lowrance
• 2018:  Robert (Bobby) Kethcart
• 2019: Charles W. "Chas" Wirken
• 2020/2021: Barbara Rodriguez-Pashkowski
• 2022: Lynda Shely
• 2023: Kent Berk
• 2024: Anthony Austin
• 2025: Tamara Herrera, Aaron Nash, Dan Schaack

2026 Mills Member of the Year Nomination Form

 

 

Judicial Officer of the Year: 

Any current member of the MCBA can nominate someone for this award who meets the criteria listed below; although it is not a requirement of nomination, preference will be given to those nominees who are members of the MCBA.

• A current Judicial Officer in Maricopa County who:
• Significantly contributes to the programs and activities of the MCBA;
• Demonstrates leadership and innovation in furthering the goals of the legal profession and promoting the ideal of professionalism; and/or
• Shows an outstanding commitment to public service, including charitable, cultural, humanitarian and/or educational service to the community at large.

Judicial Officer of the Year Award Recipients:

• 2017: Hon. Aryeh D. Schwartz
• 2018: Hon. Pamela Gates
• 2019: Chief Justice Scott Bales (ret.)
• 2020-21: Presiding Judge Joseph C. Welty
• 2022: Hon. Jay Polk
• 2023: Hon. Bruce Cohen
• 2024: Justice Robert Brutinel
• 2025 Hon. David Gass

2026 Judicial Officer of the Year Nomination Form

 

Public Lawyer of the Year:

The Public Lawyer of the Year Award recognizes a public lawyer who demonstrates a dedication to public service both in the practice of law and in his or her community.

• Any MCBA member is invited to nominate a Public Lawyer who meets the criteria listed below:
• Shows an outstanding commitment to public service, including public practice and charitable, cultural, humanitarian and/or educational service to the community at large;
• Significantly contributes to the programs and activities of the MCBA and/or the MCBA Public Lawyers Division; and/or
• Dedicates himself or herself to furthering the goals of the legal profession and promoting the ideal of professionalism. 

Public Lawyer of the Year Award Recipients:

• 2018: Patricia Gerrich
• 2019: José A. Cárdenas
• 2020-21: Janet Sell
• 2022: Stephen Richer
• 2023: Bill Gates
• 2024: Cary Lackey
• 2025: Nina Targovnik

2026 Public Lawyer of the Year Nomination Form

 

To recommend worthy recipients, please send completed nomination forms with supporting information to Executive Director Laurie Williams, lwilliams@maricopabar.org