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].

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. 

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. 

Brian A. Weinberger has practiced for over 30 years as a trial lawyer and mediator, all in the Phoenix metropolitan area. What makes him unique is his patience, listening ability, and commitment to fighting for his clients.  These attributes not only make him a outstanding attorney, but have  made him an dynamic volunteer for the High School Mock Trial program.

Mr. Weinberger has volunteer for Mock Trial for over 20 years and is an invaluable addition to the program. He goes above and beyond by reviewing all case materials, judging multiple rounds, and working with students to perfect their case and provide mentorship. He embodies the ideals of this award as he has committed his energy to expanding access to law related education and the role law has in our democratic society.  

Weinberger is an incredible lawyer and volunteer to the Mock Trial Program as his dedication to the law is unmatched. His yearly participation does not go unnoticed by students and coordinators alike as his unwavering commitment to the program is felt by his continued presence.

Most Arizona attorneys are quite familiar with Tim Eigo, having been the editor for the State Bar Association’s Arizona Attorney for over 20 years.  His poignant yet often humorous editorials are a favorite when perusing the monthly magazine. A known proponent for access to justice, Mr. Eigo also is a champion of civic education. 

For 14 years, Tim has served as an evaluator/judge for the We the People mock congressional hearing competition.  He continually shows great skill in facilitating an effective congressional hearing, in addition to providing students with positive feedback to empower them to achieve higher levels of understanding.  Co-evaluators, like We the People teacher and John J Ross awardee Timothy Smith, expressed how they were impressed with Tim Eigo’s knowledge of the subject matter each competition and his ability to establish a rapport with each student panel.  He is well respected among his fellow judges because of his professionalism, sense of humor and ability to foster teamwork.

Mr. Eigo has also served other Foundation’s programs like Project Citizen and the We the People Summer Institutes. His continual support of civic education, his intellect and humor make him a sought after volunteer for any program. 

Lois has been very active in the We the People program as both a judge and in volunteering to help with the Southern Arizona Regional Competition.   She has donated countless hours in assisting the students and working towards providing them a place to demonstrate their knowledge. 

In addition to her work with We the People program, she has assisted with Kids Voting and the Court of Appeals Oral Argument.  With Kids Voting she supported the Foundation’s efforts to share law-related curriculum about voting, and the actual voting process, to various schools over the years.   Ms. Eisenstein donated her time with the Foundation’s partnership with the Court of Appeals Connecting with Community project by helping the students understand the workings of the various courts, along with highlighting what the students would see when they were part of the Court of Appeals actual cases presented at their schools.  She also helped with reviewing the case and making sure the students were knowledgeable about both sides and the law or the court decision that was being presented.    

Lois Eisenstein continually makes herself available to the Foundation, educators and the community to bring law related education to Southern Arizona.

For over 15 years, the Foundation has hosted the We the People Summer Institute.  The week long program brings together 15 educators from around the state teaching them about how to implement the We the People program in their classrooms.  As a culminating activity, teachers participate in a simulated congressional hearing just like their students would do. 

The teachers get to work with constitutional scholars from a variety of disciplines.  Two of those scholars, Chief Justice Scott Bales and U.S. District Judge Murray Snow, are often the highlight for many of the teachers participating.  Both have volunteered with the Institute for over 10 years.

Both have also volunteered in the We the People regional and state competitions/showcases in various ways, including key note speaker and competition judge.

Their yearly participation has brought the program and institute to a higher level, as they are considered not only prominent individuals in the legal world, but are known nationally for their work. 

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