Bar Foundation Newsletter & Updates - Mock Trial Names Included

Thank You Volunteers!

The Arizona Bar Foundation is grateful to the many volunteers who have dedicated their time and talent to support our programs and the communities they serve. Because of your commitment, we’ve been able to inspire students through the We the People State Competition and Mock Trial Regional Tournaments, expand access to justice through AZFreeLegalAnswers and AZCourtHelp, and provide free wills to first responders through Wills for Heroes.

The Foundation’s work is only possible because of volunteers like you who believe in strengthening civic education and access to justice. We appreciate the impact our volunteers have already made this year and look forward to continuing to expand access to justice together.

Learn more about our volunteers HERE.

‍Thank You Volunteers!

The Arizona Bar Foundation is proud to recognize our 2026 Q1 Volunteers of the Month for their outstanding service and dedication.

January – Arizona Public Service (APS) APS is honored for their longtime support of the Wills for Heroes program. Their team coordinated clinics to ensure first responders and their families received estate planning services. Special thanks to APS’s in-house counsel, as well as Diane Wood and Sheiana Poole, for their leadership that made each clinic a success.

February – Jeffrey Brodin For 20+ years, Jeffrey Brodin has generously provided pro bono HR expertise to the Foundation. From reviewing policies to advising on employment questions, his wisdom and solution-oriented approach have been invaluable.

March – Rachel Mitchell Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell is recognized for her support of the Arizona High School Mock Trial Program, including recruiting volunteers for the regional competition and judging the final round of the 2025 National High School Mock Trial Championship.

‍Celebrating Our Wills for Heroes Volunteers

Thank you to the volunteers who made our recent Wills for Heroes event with the Phoenix Fire Department a success. With the support of 17 dedicated volunteers, 27 wills were completed, providing 82.71 hours of service to Phoenix firefighters and their families.

We are grateful to everyone who donated their time and expertise to help protect those who protect our community.

Upcoming events:

March 21st - Phoenix, Az

April 18th - Mesa, Az

May 16th - Tempe, Az

October 24th - Chandler, Az

Learn more about Wills for Heroes HERE.

Volunteer with the AZ Bar Foundation

Ways to Support Access to Justice

Volunteer at the Project Citizen State Showcase

Volunteer judges and timers are needed at the Project Citizen State Showcase on May 6 at the Academies at South Mountain!

Project Citizen is a civic education program for middle and high school students that empowers youth to engage in civic learning by developing and presenting public policy solutions to real issues in their communities.

Learn more and register to volunteer here.

Become a Sponsor at the Foundation's Awards Luncheon

The Arizona Bar Foundation will celebrate its Annual Awards Luncheon on June 25 at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson.

Support access to justice while gaining visibility for your organization by becoming a sponsor. This event brings together leaders from across the legal community to celebrate individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to public service, pro bono work, and civic education.

Learn more and resrve your sponsorship here.

Volunteers Needed at the Mock Trial State Tournament

Support the next generation of legal professionals by volunteering at the Arizona High School Mock Trial State Tournament on March 28. Each year, high school students from across the state participate in simulated courtroom trials where they develop critical thinking, public speaking, and legal reasoning skills.

The program is an opportunity for students to learn about the law and the legal system from practicing attorneys; for teachers to work closely with attorneys to reinforce legal concepts in the classroom; and for attorneys to share their expertise about the law and their legal skills.

Learn more and sign up to volunteer here.

Support Legal Aid by

Volunteering with the VLP

Community Legal Services, DNA People’s Legal Services and Southern Arizona Legal Aid have offices all over Arizona. They are always looking for volunteer attorneys to host clinics, answer questions and provide direct representation. Too busy to volunteer? You can also meet your aspirational 50 hours goal by donating directly or through the Arizona Bar Foundation to one of these agencies. Visit the Foundation’s Pro Bono website to find out more information and help increase access to justice in Arizona.

Volunteer with a statewide agency

Volunteer with a local or specialty agency

Support legal aid through your donation

‍Program Updates & News

‍AZLawHelp.org Redesign

The AZ Bar Foundation launched a new legal help website to expand access to civil legal assistance across Arizona. The website serves as a central entry point where individuals can apply online for legal help, search a directory of legal service organizations, and access plain-language resources to increase their understanding of the law and navigating legal processes.

Developed in partnership with Arizona’s Legal Services Corporation –funded legal aid programs – Community Legal Services (CLS), DNA People’s Legal Services (DNA), and Southern Arizona Legal Aid (SALA) – as well as the William E Morris Institute for Justice and the State Bar of Arizona, the new site helps people learn about their civil legal rights while connecting them to the most appropriate legal assistance available.

‍We the People Competition & Showcase Results

The 2026 We the People State Competition and Showcase wrapped up, bringing together students from across Arizona to demonstrate their knowledge of the Constitution and civic principles. Thank you to the volunteers who made this event possible, and congratulations to the students and educators for an impressive display of civic knowledge.

‍

Unit Awards

1. Unit 1: Marcos De Niza High School

2. Unit 2: Hamilton High School

3. Unit 3: Gilbert Classical Academy Team 3

4. Unit 4: Sunnyside High School

5. Unit 5: Vista Grande High School

6. Unit 6: Casa Grande Union High School

Top Four Teams

1. 1st Place: Mountain View High School

2. 2nd Place: Corona Del Sol High School

3. 3rd Place: Gilbert Classical Academy Team 1

4. 4th Place: Gilbert Classical Academy Team 2

We also had one showcase school in attendance:

Laveen Leadership Academy at Cheatham Farms

‍State Invests in Civil Legal Aid

‍For the first time, the State of Arizona has committed $3 million in the FY2026 budget to support statewide civil legal aid, marking a major step forward for access to justice. This historic investment reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that all Arizonans, regardless of income, have access to fairness in the civil legal system.

This milestone was made possible through the leadership and collaboration of the Arizona Legislature, the Arizona Supreme Court, the Arizona Commission on Access to Justice, and Governor Hobbs. While this progress is worth celebrating, continued support will be critical to meet the growing demand for civil legal aid across the state.

‍Mock Trial State

‍Congratulations to the high school teams advancing to the Arizona High School Mock Trial State Competition! After strong performances in regional competitions, these teams will move on to compete at the state level and showcase their legal knowledge.

• Arizona College Prep High School Team 1

• Arizona School for the Arts Team 1

• BASIS Ahwatukee Team 1

• BASIS Ahwatukee Team 2

• BASIS Chandler Team 1

• BASIS Scottsdale Team 1

• Brophy College Preparatory Team 1

• Hamilton High School Team 1

• Highland High School Team 2

• Mountain Ridge High School Team 1

• Mountain View High School Team 1

• Prescott High School Team 1

• Tanque Verde High School Team 2

• Tanque Verde High School Team 3

• Trivium Preparatory Academy Team 1

• University High School Team 2

• Veritas Preparatory Academy Team 1

• Xavier College Preparatory Team 1

‍Become a Sustaining Partner

Click Here to Learn More and Donate

DONOR SPOTLIGHT:

Equal Justice Challenge Supporter Snell & Wilmer

The Arizona Bar Foundation is proud to recognize Snell & Wilmer for their steadfast commitment to advancing access to justice across Arizona. Through their continued support of the Equal Justice Challenge and their leadership as a Premiere Justice Sponsor of the Awards Luncheon, Snell & Wilmer demonstrates a deep dedication to strengthening our legal community and serving those in need.

We are grateful for Snell & Wilmer’s partnership and honored to celebrate their meaningful and lasting contributions to justice in our state.

Equal Justice Challenge

Fifteen Arizona law firms and a bank have collectively contributed more than $300,000 to support civil legal aid services for low-income Arizonans through the Equal Justice Challenge administered by the Arizona Bar Foundation.

The firms helping ensure that vulnerable individuals and families have access to justice are: Ballard Spahr; Bell Bank; Burg, Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine; Dorsey Whitney; Fennemore; Gallagher & Kennedy; Jones, Skelton & Hochuli; May, Potenza, Baran & Gillespie; Osborn Maledon; Quarles; Rafi Law Group; Rose Law Group;; Snell & Wilmer; Spencer Fane; Taft; Womble, Bond, Dickinson.

The funds will support the three civil legal aid agencies in Arizona that provide free legal assistance in critical areas such as housing stability, protection from domestic violence, veterans’ services, consumer protection, and access to public benefits: Community Legal Services, DNA People’s Legal Services, and Southern Arizona Legal Aid.