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 info@azflse.org.

Awards Acknowledged in conjunction with the Foundation participation in the annual Arizona State Bar Convention.

Presiding Judge Thomas Fink has demonstrated a distinguished career marked by leadership, public service, and a deep commitment to expanding access to justice for underserved communities. As Presiding Judge of the Santa Cruz Superior Court since 2014, he has combined administrative leadership with a full judicial caseload, overseeing court operations while ensuring efficient and fair case management. His most impactful contribution has been transforming the court’s self-help services into a comprehensive program that has assisted more than 10,000 individuals, many of whom would otherwise have struggled to navigate the legal system. By expanding staffing and prioritizing accessibility, Judge Fink has created a sustainable model that improves outcomes for self-represented litigants and promotes equity in the courts.

Prior to his judicial service, Judge Fink built an accomplished legal career in both public service and private practice. He served nearly two decades with the U.S. Department of Justice, including as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and tried over 100 felony jury cases while also arguing appeals before the Ninth Circuit. His work earned multiple national honors for excellence in public service. Throughout his career, Judge Fink has exemplified a dedication to justice that extends beyond the courtroom, leaving a lasting impact on Arizona’s legal system and the communities it serves.

Gretchen has devoted time and expertise to change the justice system not only in Arizona, but across the nation as well. In 2006, Gretchen’s expertise as a law librarian and self-help center director in Coconino County, provided the Legal Advice – Legal Information Guidelines Task Force with subject matter expertise. Her assistance in this task force helped Arizona’s courts to promote consistent quality service to court customers and helped court staff to discern between legal information and legal advice.

In 2017, in collaboration with the Arizona Bar Foundation and the Arizona Administrative Office of the Courts, the Coconino County Superior Court Law Library was selected to pilot the one-stop shop virtual resource self-help center that would host the educational and informative Legal Talks conducted by volunteer attorneys. Gretchen commandeered the library’s reconfiguration efforts and now hosts the Legal Talks from a dedicated classroom in the law library.

Gretchen started the Law4AZ program that trains public library staff to help library users find legal information. Recently, Gretchen has explained the justice gap and Arizona’s access to justice deserts nationally and how Law4AZ can help librarians narrow the justice gap. Her frequent presentations to the Arizona Commission on Access to Justice provide the members with justice gap resources and community partnership information. She also has done incredible work in creating a Justice Gap Map to help “green” legal deserts in Arizona.  She also has shared these efforts nationally, on panels and in other educational efforts, for use in other jurisdictions. 

The doors to justice are open wider because of the work of Gretchen Hornberger. 

Diane Drain's work goes beyond just volunteering, but truly seeking change and opportunity in the Bankruptcy system.  

In 2005, she partnered with Chief Bankruptcy Judge Curley to established the Bankruptcy Court Self Help Center.  Arizona historically has one of the highest bankruptcy pro se filing rates in the nation.  Diane had the vision for a place where any pro se could get free competent legal information and good legal advice.  Instead of just planting a seed of an idea, Diane continued to cultivate the work of the Center - at first being its only volunteer. Now the Self Help Center has grown to include a dedicated full time court staff and over 50 volunteers.  

She has also volunteered with Community Legal Services Volunteer Lawyers Program (CLS -VLP) since 1994 providing representation to families in financial distress.  She regularly provides training to VLP and CLS staff on current issues regarding bankruptcy and debts.  She has provided numerous free CLE's to volunteer attorneys and is a member of the VLP's Advisory Committee. 

2022
Laura Guild

2021
Daniel Barr

2020
Michele Mirto

2019
Judith Dworkin

2018
Hon. Robert Gottsfield

2017
Steven Hirsch

2016
Hon. Gerald Strick

2015
Snell & Wilmer, LLP

2014 
Anne Ronan

2013 
Ellen S. Katz

2012
Gary Restaino

2011
John Bouma

2010
Elvera Anselmo

2009
Mike Valder

2008
Comm. Frederic Dardis

2007
Keith Perkins

2006
Hon. Colin Campbell

Inaugural 2005 award
Justice Scott Bales