Az Business magazine partnered with the Arizona Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel and the State Bar of Arizona Thursday night to present the 2020 Arizona Corporate Counsel Awards in front of a huge crowd at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia.
“Never before have lawyers had more career options,” said AZ Big Media Editor in Chief Michael Gossie. “And law firms and law departments looking to fill key positions need to create more compelling reasons for someone to join their organization. And nowhere has the talent risen to top like it has with in-house counsel, which is clearly illustrated with the amazing 31 finalists we are honoring tonight.”
Sponsors of the Arizona Corporate Counsel Awards included presenting sponsors Cresa and Ogletree Deakins, beverage sponsor Grant Thornton and program sponsor Littler.
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“There’s a very innovative trend among general counsel around the world and it’s not about technology or transformation,” said AZ Big Media Publisher Josh Schimmels. “It’s about delivering significant value to the companies they represent. And tonight, we are honoring attorneys and legal teams who truly add significant value to their Arizona companies … and to the communities those companies serve.”
Here are the winners and finalists of the 2020 Arizona Corporate Counsel Awards:
General counsel of the year
Winner: Deanna Salazar, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Finalists: Lacey Bundy, PetSmart, Inc.; Mark Rogers, Amkor Technology, Inc.
Large company legal department
Winner: NortonLifelock (Symantec Corporation)
Finalists: PetSmart, Inc.; Taylor Morrison
Medium company legal department
Winner: Early Warning Services/Zelle
Finalists: Carvana; Limelight Networks
Technology company
Winner: Adam Martinez, Offerpad
Finalists: Martin Felli, JDA Software Group, Inc.; Virginia O’Malley, Imaging Endpoints, LLC
Medium private company
Winner: Randy McCaskill, Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc.
Finalists: Andy Kvesic, Quantum; Brendan Mahoney, HBI International
Large private company
Winner: Erin Borg, PetSmart, Inc.
Finalists: Trevor Steege, International Cruise & Excursion, Inc.; Justin Powell, Isagenix International
Medium public company
Winner: Beth Schnell, Alliance Bank of Arizona, a division of Western Alliance Bank
Finalists: Mick Dragash, Cavco Industries, Inc.; Aileen Schwartz, Hill International
Large public company
Winner: Alexis Pheiffer, Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.
Finalists: Susan Hanson, U-Haul International, Inc.; Dawn Valdivia, Honeywell Aerospace
Up-and-comer
Winners: Kim Dennis, Knight-Swift Transportation; Justin Powley, Axon
Finalists: Ashley Kasarjian, Republic Services; Richard Kovacik, VieMed; Rachel Molina, PetSmart, Inc.
Nonprofit
Winner: Robert Seibel, Yuma Regional Medical Center
Community impact
Winner: APS/Pinnacle West Capital Corporation Legal Department
