Mark Santana LRE Award
Mark Santana
Law Related Education Attorney Award
The Mark Santana Law-Related Education Award recognizes exceptional contributions of Arizona attorneys or law firms in furthering education and understanding of the role of the law in our democratic society. This award focuses on public awareness on the contributions that attorneys provide to the community.
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 email to [email protected].
2025 Awardee
Hon. David Gass
In 2019, Judge Gass was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One. He began serving as Vice Chief Judge in June 2021 and ascended to Chief Judge in 2023. He is a member of the Arizona Supreme Court Commission on Diversity, Equality, and Justice, and he chaired the 2022 Child Support Guidelines Review Subcommittee.
Judge Gass has provided exemplary leadership in promoting projects to educate the public about the role and operations of the Court of Appeals. He has also remained an active participant in programs aimed at attracting and encouraging students to pursue legal and judicial professions. This includes participating in educational outreach programs at both the local and state levels in Arizona, as well as sharing his knowledge and "lessons learned" on a national level, speaking to various audiences on law-related topics.
As part of his outstanding service to the legal community, Judge Gass has demonstrated exceptional skills in bringing together diverse voices to propose, plan, and implement several significant innovations that assist with educating the public and promoting access to justice. As with everything he does, Judge Gass goes above and beyond. For example, he not only seeks ways to improve court processes but also takes the time to understand the obstacles faced by self-represented litigants and looks for ways to help them overcome identified impediments. Judge Gass can always be counted on to engage in conversations with each stakeholder (internal and external) to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues and provide the best input to make the court more accessible to the public through education and development of "how to" resources.
Judge Gass has provided exemplary leadership in promoting projects to educate the public about the role and operations of the Court of Appeals. He has also remained an active participant in programs aimed at attracting and encouraging students to pursue legal and judicial professions. This includes participating in educational outreach programs at both the local and state levels in Arizona, as well as sharing his knowledge and "lessons learned" on a national level, speaking to various audiences on law-related topics.
As part of his outstanding service to the legal community, Judge Gass has demonstrated exceptional skills in bringing together diverse voices to propose, plan, and implement several significant innovations that assist with educating the public and promoting access to justice. As with everything he does, Judge Gass goes above and beyond. For example, he not only seeks ways to improve court processes but also takes the time to understand the obstacles faced by self-represented litigants and looks for ways to help them overcome identified impediments. Judge Gass can always be counted on to engage in conversations with each stakeholder (internal and external) to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues and provide the best input to make the court more accessible to the public through education and development of "how to" resources.
2024 Awardee
Andrew Meissen
Andrew Meissen, Deputy Director of the Office of the Public Advocate, has worked for over 15 years in Indigent services. In his role as Deputy Director, he took over the lead for the Ensuring a Brighter Future for Our Youth committee whose purpose is to connect with those who interact with at risk youth and educate them on the delinquency process and impact. Andy has volunteered a a training facilitator for the Foundation's school safety program and JPO/Detention trainings. He has also helped secure other presenters for Foundation trainings to help ensure the best quality of education for our teacher and officer trainings. In addition, Mr. Meissen has provided legal information to use in the Foundation's lessons and helped recruit volunteers for our academic events.
2023 Awardee
Judge Frankie Jones
Judge Frankie Jones is most deserving of this award and recognition because of her tireless work as the Chair to the Arizona Supreme Court's Commission on Diversity, Equality, and Justice. A member of the Commission since 2011, she became the Chair of this statewide commission in 2017 and has worked to create interactive “pipeline” programs that would be beneficial to the judicial, legal, and greater communities that the Supreme Court serves. These programs include: Legal Futures, the Chris Nakamura Judicial Workshop, Summer Externships, and Countering Disinformation Work Group. Although most of these programs were ongoing prior to Judge Jones serving as Chair to the Commission, through her strong leadership, these programs have become enhanced and revived even throughout the pandemic. Judge Jones has instilled an urgency to promote this work which has received accolades and praise from judges, lawyers, and the public.
Judge Jones has also been a strong advocate of educating young people through the Arizona Supreme Court's Commission on Diversity, Equality and Justice program entitled Legal Futures. The Legal Futures program deals with diverse high school students from around Arizona who spend a day at the Supreme Court with judges learning about their jobs. They also participate in interactive exercises to make the law a bit more real for them.
2022
Brian Weinberger
2021
Tim Eigo
2020
Lois Eisenstein
2019
Chief Justice Scott Bales and Hon. Murray Snow
2018
Hon. Denis Lusk
2017
Bruce Chalk
2016
Hon. Stephen McNamee
2015
Professor Charles Calleros
2014
Heather Wellborn
2013
Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch
2012
Hon. Mary Murguia
2011
Hon. Daniel Barker
2010
Hon. Susan Shetter and Janice Wezelman
2009
Judge Barbara Rodriguez Mundell
2008
Pam and Bill Gates
2007
Pinal County Judge William O'Neil
2006
Danielle Janitch, Osborn Maledon,
Denise Quinterri, State Bar of Arizona
Roni Tropper, Community Legal Services
2005
Dewain Fox, Fennemore Craig
Danelle Liwski, Pima County Juvenile Court
2004
Honorable Nicole Laurin, Gilbert Municipal Court
Honorable Peter Swann, Maricopa County Superior Court
2003
Honorable Charles W. Gurtler, Jr., Mohave County Superior Court
2002
Lynda Shely (Director of Lawyer Ethics, State Bar of Arizona)
2001
Hon. Robert M. Brutinel (Presiding Judge, Yavapai County's juvenile court)
2000
Lisa Coulter (Snell & Wilmer, Phoenix)
1999
Honorable Roxanne Song Ong (Phoenix Municipal Court, Phoenix)
1998
James Conlogue (Hitchcock, Hicks & Conlogue, Bisbee)
Timothy R. Hyland (Bess & Dysart, Phoenix)
1997
Wendy S. Morton (Maricopa County Attorney, Phoenix)
1996
Michelle T. Lopez (Kimble, Gothreau & Nelson, Tucson)
1995
Keith Bevan (Teilborg, Sanders & Parks, Phoenix)
Adrianne Kalyna (U.S. Trustee, Phoenix)
Jim Lee (State Bar of Arizona, Phoenix)
Candyce Pardee (Gila County Attorney, Globe)
1994
Jim Blake (Maricopa County Attorney, Phoenix)
Mike Goimarac (Apache County Attorney)
Heidi McNeil (Snell & Wilmer, Phoenix)
Janis Ann Sterling (Sole Practitioner, Prescott)
1993
Jay M. Abbey (Retired Judge, Navajo County)
Thompson, DeRose, Montgomery, Cahill (Globe & Lakeside)
Charles Irwin (Elledge & Irwin, P.C., Sierra Vista)
Jay Zweig (Gallagher & Kennedy, Phoenix)
1992
Carey Hyatt (Arizona Court of Appeals, Phoenix)
William T. Kiger (Sole Practitioner, Prescott)
Barbara E. LaWall (Deputy County Attorney, Pima County, Tucson)
Brian Weinberger (Kalish, Forrester and Torres, P.C., Phoenix)
1991
Paul Blunt (Sole Practitioner, Phoenix)
Paul D. Julien (Sole Practitioner, Tucson)
Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Phoenix
Candyce Pardee (Gila County Attorney)
1990
Karen Adam, Judge (Pima County Superior Court, Tucson)
David Gaona (DeConcini, McDonald, Brammer, Yetwin & Lacy, Phoenix)
H. Jeffrey Coker, Judge (Coconino County Superior Court, Flagstaff)
Snell & Wilmer Law Firm, Phoenix
1989
Paul Brinkmann (Mangum, Wall, Stoops & Warden, Flagstaff)
Michael J. Donovan (Suciu, Donovan & Schmitt, Yuma)
1988
Pima County Attorney's Office, Juvenile Unit - Tucson
4201 N 24 STREET
STE. 210
PHOENIX AZ 85016