The Arizona Region of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) will pay tribute to three outstanding legal professionals at its annual Judge Learned Hand (JLH) Awards luncheon on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.

AJC’s Judge Learned Hand luncheon recognizes distinguished individuals within the legal profession. Established in 1964, this program honors those who have contributed meaningfully to the legal community and whose work reflects the integrity and broad humanitarian ideals exemplified by Judge Hand. The honorees are selected by an independent selection committee of prominent judges, law professors, and practitioners.

AJC thanks Tim Eckstein, Joe Roth and Josh Bendor for serving as the Award Luncheon Co-Chairs.

Honorees:

Scott Bales, retired Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court

Edward F. Novak, of Polsinelli

Honorable Alfred (“Fred”) Lopez Urbina, Associate Judge of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe

Scott Bales will accept AJC’s Public Service Award for his sustained contributions to the advancement of equality and democratic principles through work in the non-profit and public sectors.

Bales has a long and distinguished career in public service, including in the Department of Justice, as Solicitor General of the State of Arizona, and on the Arizona Supreme Court. As Chief Justice, he led efforts to improve access to justice and to reduce the number of people who are in jail because they cannot afford to pay fines, fees, or bail. He also promoted judicial education in the advancement of technology and forensic science and led efforts to revise Arizona’s rules of procedure for civil, criminal, family law, and justice court cases, as well as its rules of evidence. Since his retirement from the Court, he has assumed a leadership role in access to justice issues as Executive Director of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) in Denver, Colorado. Throughout his career, he has exemplified the virtues of a public servant by leading quietly, thoughtfully, and with determination.

Edward F. Novak will be presented with AJC’s Community Service Award for demonstrating sustained contributions to the advancement of equality and democratic principles.

Mr. Novak is a champion for justice, a tireless volunteer, a dedicated mentor, an exceptional attorney, and a decorated (and humble) veteran. During his 40 years of practice, he has devoted countless hours to representing those unable to afford legal representation, including winning freedom for Louis Taylor, who had been wrongfully imprisoned for 40 years. Novak has also worked tirelessly to improve the legal profession through his extensive activities on Arizona Supreme Court committees, including as the Chairman of the Character & Fitness Committee, and for the Arizona State Bar, where he served on the Board of Governors and as President. He has also helped re-write Arizona’s Code of Military Justice and has served on the boards of many community organizations including the U.S. VETS Initiative, the ASU Art Museum, the Arizona School for the Art, and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

Hon. Fred Urbina will be honored with AJC’s Emerging Leadership Award, which is a tribute to an attorney practicing twelve years or less who has demonstrated a commitment to the values of public or community service.

Judge Urbina has played a leading role in bringing about tribal justice reforms and protecting victims of domestic. Under his leadership as Chief Prosecutor and Attorney General, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe became one of the first tribes to pilot enhanced criminal court jurisdiction under the Violence Against Women Act of 2013, which allowed the Tribe to prosecute perpetrators of domestic violence who live on the reservation but are not tribal members. Later, as Deputy Associate Director of Tribal Justice Support at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Urbina worked to help other tribes improve their criminal justice systems and protect victims of domestic violence. He has also written and testified extensively on these issues and worked as an Assistant Attorney General of the Tohono O’odham Nation and on the National Inter-Tribal Working Group to implement the Violence Against Women Act. Judge Urbina also serves on the Board of Directors for Amity Foundation, which provides services for Native American tribes in restorative justice settings, and is a mentor for young attorneys.

For additional information or to become a corporate sponsor, please contact:

Karolyn Kiburz, President

Meetings & Concierges Source, LLC

P: (480) 990-1887

karolyn@mcsource.net

Ticket sales have ended

AJC Arizona 2020 Judge Learned Hand Awards Luncheon