Education Law Awards

The John R. McDonald and Dean Pickett Award recognizes an attorney each year who is considered a leader in public education for unique outstanding contributions to Arizona district schools and in alignment with ASBA’s mission of cultivating excellence in locally governed school districts.

                      2022 Recipient

Jennifer MacLennan, Attorney of Gust Rosenfeld P.L.C. View video here.

                        2020 Recipient

Nominations will be accepted from individuals representing any area of Arizona education including, but not limited to, board members, superintendents, administrators and attorneys working with ASBA member districts. Nominations close July 5, 2022.

The awards committee selects the recipient. The committee is made up of the ASBA immediate past president, 2-3 award recipients (of previous years) representing ASBA member districts, a superintendent and school governing board member.

The nominator and selected recipient will be notified no later than August 1, 2022.

The John R. McDonald and Dean Pickett Award is presented on the final day of the ASBA Law Conference, which is held in September at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. The recipient, nominee and their guests will be invited.

A video honoring the recipient will be produced by ASBA staff. It will be shown during the award presentation and share via ASBA communication platforms.

Attorneys eligible for nomination have practiced law and have at least 10 years of education law experience. Nominations should explain why the nominee deserves recognition by the public education community. Award recipients will be selected base on the following criteria:

1. Unique outstanding service to school districts in Arizona meriting singular recognition.
2. Achievement in the legal profession and involvement in professional legal organizations.
3. Community contributions supporting social and civic community-based organizations and programs.
4. Facilitation of mentoring relationships with peer colleagues.

Nominations will be accepted from individuals within or representing ASBA member districts including, but not limited to board members, superintendents, administrators and attorneys working with public schools. Please note the nominator must be a member of ASBA in good standing. You may provide the following information for each nomination (this is not required): 

• Examples of the nominee’s professional achievements, involvement and community service as outlines in the criteria above.
• Anecdotes, narratives or stories that help the awards committee get to know the nominee personally and professionally are encouraged.

The Rising Star Award recognizes an emergent attorney who stands out among peers for outstanding contributions to Arizona district schools and in alignment with ASBA’s mission of cultivating excellence in locally governed school districts.

Nominations will be accepted from individuals within or representing ASBA member districts including, but not limited to board members, superintendents, administrators and attorneys working with ASBA member districts. Nominations coming Summer 2023.

The awards committee selects the recipient. The committee is made up of the ASBA immediate past president, 2-3 attorneys representing ASBA member districts, a superintendents and school governing board member.

The nominator and selected recipient will be notified.

The Rising Star Award is presented on the final day of the ASBA Law Conference, which is held in September at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. The recipient, nominee and their guests will be invited.

A video honoring the recipient will be produced by ASBA staff. It will be shown during the award presentation and share via ASBA communication platforms.

The Rising Star Award was developed to recognize and honor emerging attorneys with five years or less in the legal profession that have shown a commitment to their profession, public education and the clients and communities they serve.

Nominations will be accepted from individuals within or representing ASBA member districts including, but not limited to board members, superintendents, administrators and attorneys working with public schools. Please note the nominator must be a member of ASBA in good standing. You may provide the following information for each nomination (this is not required): 

• Examples of the nominee’s professional achievements, involvement and community service as outlines in the criteria above.
• Anecdotes, narratives or stories that help the awards committee get to know the nominee personally and professionally are encouraged.