HomeAWLA Leadership Opportunities

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR AWLA MEMBERS

MCBA Board of Directors

Six seats are open on the MCBA Board of Directors. Come create the future of the MCBA! Nominations close September 15, 2026. For more information and to apply here.

ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law – Pro Bono Program Attorney Volunteer

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University invites practicing attorneys to volunteer with its student Pro Bono Groups, which partner with legal service agencies across the Phoenix-metro area. This is a rewarding way to mentor the next generation of lawyers, give back to the community, and support access to justice. Deadline: Volunteers are welcomed on a rolling basis. To get involved, complete the Attorney Volunteer Form for the ASU Law Pro Bono Program here or contact asuprobonoboard@gmail.com.

United States District Court, District of Arizona – Federal Court Advice-Only Clinic

The District of Arizona's Federal Court Advice-Only Clinic, operated in partnership with Community Legal Services, connects self-represented civil litigants with volunteer attorneys for brief, no-cost guidance. Volunteers provide scheduled telephonic consultations of roughly 20–30 minutes, answering questions, reviewing filings, and helping pro se litigants navigate matters before the federal court. This is a flexible, high-impact way for experienced federal litigators to expand access to justice without taking on ongoing representation. Deadline: Volunteer attorneys are accepted on a rolling basis. To get involved, complete the volunteer attorney registration form at azd.uscourts.gov (search "Volunteer for Advice-Only Clinic") or contact the clinic at FedCrtClinic@clsaz.org or (602) 258-3434, ext. 3422.

Maricopa County - Justice Museum

The Maricopa County Justice Museum at Learning Center is holding is 10th Annual Art Contest. This year’s theme is the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Two (2) contests are offered with the artwork deadline for submission of August 15, 2026. For more information and opportunities please click here.

Maricopa County - Volunteer Lawyers Program: The Volunteer Lawyers Program:

(VLP) in Maricopa County is a joint project of Community Legal Services and the Maricopa County Bar Association. Volunteers represent clients with problems related to housing, employment, consumer issues, debt collection, bankruptcy, tax, tort defense, and family law/domestic violence. They provide advice to individuals and families seeking counsel about debt management or defense, where relief from wage garnishment is needed. If needed, they will recommend or help provide representation in no asset bankruptcy petitions. For more information or to volunteer, visit the Community Legal Services website here or contact Roni Tropper at rtropper@clsaz.org.

State Bar - DNA-People's Legal Services Inc. Board of Directors Volunteers

Purpose: Sets policy for largest (Navajo Nation) legal services program in the U.S. To be considered for the vacant position, applicants must apply through the State Bar of Arizona's website using the application form below.

Candidate Criteria/Qualifications:
Board meets four Saturdays/year in Window Rock

Term: Four (4) Years

Deadline: Applications currently open. Questions? Contact Board@staff.azbar.org for questions.

State Bar - Mentorship Opportunities Available:

The mentor and mentee fill out an application on the State Bar of Arizona website where you will indicate which program interests you, One-to-One or Lawyer Down the Hall. Staff will review each application to ensure the eligibility qualifications are met. Staff will contact each applicant to determine the best fit for them within the program based on practice area, geographic location, shared experiences, and individual preferences. Mentors and mentees will work with program staff throughout their participation, from matching all the way to course completion. This is a personalized and confidential process. For more information please click the following link.

City of Phoenix Boards and Commissions

The City of Phoenix has numerous boards and commissions with vacancies. Here are just a few of the opportunities.

Vision Zero Community Advisory Committee – In 2022, City Council approved the Road Safety Action Plan (RSAP) and the formation of the Vision Zero Community Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to provide feedback and recommendations regarding the implementation of the RSAP. To learn more about this committee click here.

Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board - This Board serves as a mechanism for evaluating projects to be funded for the hospitality industry's share of surplus Arena Tax Funds. To learn more about this committee click here.

Phoenix Women’s Commission - The purpose of the Phoenix Women's Commission is to provide a formal forum for citizen review of the City's diversity efforts and salary equity and to serve as an advisory board to the Council. To learn more about this committee click here.

To learn more about the City of Phoenix’s numerous commissions and boards with vacancies, click here. To register and apply for service, click here.

MCBA Board of Directors

Six seats are open on the MCBA Board of Directors. Come create the future of the MCBA! Nominations close September 15, 2026.

For more information and to apply, please click here.

Dress for Success Phoenix

Dress for Success Phoenix empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing professional attire, career development, and a network of support to help them thrive in the workplace. Volunteers can make a meaningful impact by assisting with professional dress appointments, conducting mock interviews, reviewing résumés, mentoring women preparing to enter or re-enter the workforce, and supporting career development workshops and special events. These opportunities allow volunteers to use their professional experience to build confidence, strengthen job readiness, and help women achieve long-term career success.

Volunteering with Dress for Success Phoenix is an excellent way to support women in the community while fostering leadership, mentorship, and service. There are four upcoming volunteer orientation sessions on July 16th, July 18th, August 19th, and August 22nd.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities and sign up, click here.

Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS)

Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free civil legal services to homeless and at-risk youth throughout Arizona. Attorneys can volunteer their legal expertise through pro bono representation, legal clinics, and advocacy in matters such as obtaining identification documents, addressing housing and public benefits issues, resolving family law matters, and removing legal barriers to stability and independence. Non-attorneys can also make a meaningful impact by volunteering at community outreach events, assisting with administrative projects, supporting fundraising initiatives, and organizing donation drives.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact info@alwaysaz.org or click here.

Experienced Federal Court Litigators Wanted:

The Federal Court Self-Service Clinic seeks litigators with at least several years of federal court practice experience to volunteer for 2 hours to provide brief phone direction to pro se litigants about civil cases in the District Court in Phoenix. You can choose how often to volunteer. You will receive advance information for conflict checks. Each litigant benefits from 30 minutes of guidance, so you can help up to four people in need. The Clinic is a collaborative effort of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona in Phoenix and the Volunteer Lawyers Program. Community Legal Services provides primary malpractice coverage.

To enroll or for more information, please contact Pat Gerrich at pgerrich@clsaz.org.

State Bar Volunteer Opportunities:

Access to Justice Legal Clinics and Phone Banks help consumers understand their rights when navigating legal situations. Help continue to fulfill the mission and volunteer today.

Access to Justice Legal Clinic 4-7 p.m. (Virtual)
July 22nd- Legal clinic offering 30-minute consultations in family, estate planning, landlord/tenant, criminal, social security disability, employment, and immigration

Community Clinics (In-person)
August 29th- South Phoenix Legal Clinic (landlord/tenant, family, estate planning, employment, and bankruptcy/collections)
September 19th- Fresh Start Women’s Foundation Legal Clinic on Small Business and Estate Planning)

Phone Banks: Answer calls in-studio between 5-7 p.m. (In-person)
July 15th - Estate Planning
August 6th -Immigration
August 19th - Social Security
September 16th – Family

Reach out to Fabiola.Perez@staff.azbar.org for more information and to sign up.

“Friends” Of Florence Crittenton:

Similar to a mentor, a Friend of Florence Crittenton spends time on the campus with the girls: playing games, talking and just having fun. A female volunteer provides friendly relationships with the girls that share common interests. Friends are responsible for fostering a positive relationship with the girls. They participate in a variety of interactive activities and provide positive encouragement as the girls work through their treatment plans.

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Completes volunteer application, screening and orientation process.
• Obtain a DPS Level 1 fingerprint clearance card.

For more information, please contact our Volunteer Services Management at 602.288.4567 or via email: tgeist@flocrit.org.

Appointments to Governing Board Vacancies on Maricopa County School Boards

Would you like to become a member of your local school’s governing board? The Maricopa County School Superintendent appoints members to fill current vacancies. Applicants should send a letter of interest and resume to the Maricopa County School Superintendent, who appoints an applicant to the vacancy. Applicants can also contact the specific district and submit letters of interest, resumes and applications to the District.

Current vacancies:

• Aguila Elementary School District - Two 4-year seats
• Alhambra Elementary School District - One 2-year seat
• Gila Bend Unified School District - One 2-year seat
• Mobile Elementary School District - Two 4-year seats
• Morristown Elementary School District - Two 4-year seats
• Sentinel Elementary School District - Two 4-year seats

For more information visit https://schoolsup.org/governing-board-appointments or contact Shane Wikfors, the Director of Government & Public Relations for the Office of the Maricopa County School Superintendent at Shane.Wikfors@maricopa.gov.

Junior League of Phoenix – deadline August 30, 2026

The Junior League of Phoenix, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

“Our members provide more than 100,000 volunteer hours annually! Currently, we are Empowering Women and Girls. Junior League of Phoenix, along with a coalition of community partners, is working towards helping women and girls in the Phoenix community become financially successful and powerful to help reduce gender disparities. Women who are financially literate have increased stability and well-being. They also will become leaders in our society who build capacity for future generations to be independent and successful. JLP wants to do its part to make them the strongest leaders possible.”

Junior League of Phoenix welcomes new provisional members every spring. Intake forms are accepted from March 2026 – August 2026. You also can make a difference by supporting Junior League of Phoenix efforts in the community by your sponsorship, donation or attendance at a Junior League of Phoenix event, or purchase of merchandise.

For more information, visit jlp.org.

Arizona Bar Foundation High School Mock Trial seeks Attorney Coaches

Use the month of June to get yourself ready to sign up to volunteer for a variety of law-related education volunteer programs through the Arizona Law Foundation. In July/August, attorneys and judges are sought to volunteer for mock trial teams hosted at high schools. Arizona has “law deserts” where schools often want to form teams but lack the attorney coaches. With the ability to have hybrid meetings, there are more ways attorneys can volunteer than ever before.

For more information about other volunteer opportunities with the Arizona Bar Foundation click here or here.

Arizona Bar Foundation High School Mock Mediation seeks Attorney Coaches

Attorney coaches are sought for mock mediation high school programs.

Attorney coaches aid student participants of the Mock Trial and Mock Mediation tournaments as they take case materials including pleadings, legal instructions, affidavits, and evidence to prepare for a simulated jury trial or mediation.

Attorney coaches work in conjunction with teacher coaches and other volunteers to help students understand and argue the law applicable to the competition case, prepare effective opening statements, craft and conduct direct and cross examinations, plan and adapt for closing arguments, and understand the use and application of the rules of evidence in all aspects of trial or mediation.

The time commitment for attorney coaches can be flexible ranging from regular attendance at team practices to occasional participation as a guest judge for practice trials and mediations.

Whatever the level of participation, attorney coaches play a critical role in providing the student participants with a realistic look in the judicial system and trial/mediation processes.

After registering to become a Mock Trial or Mock Mediation attorney coach, the Arizona Bar Foundation will work to match you with a school seeking an attorney coach.

For more information and to sign up click here.

To learn more about these programs, email Marie.Ehlers@azflse.org.

Citizens Clean Elections Commission

Applications are now being accepted for the Citizens Clean Elections Commission through the standard application, available here.

The Citizens Clean Elections Act, passed by voters in 1998, is administered by a five member, non-partisan Commission. The Commission is committed to upholding public confidence in the integrity, honesty and impartiality of the electoral system. No more than two members of the Commission shall be of the same political party and no more than two members shall be of the same county.

Arizona Attorney Editorial Board

Editorial Board members advise the Editor on substantive and other articles submitted to Arizona Attorney Magazine, reviewing content and providing recommendations regarding acceptance, revision or rejection. The Board meets virtually approximately 8 times per year, usually for 1 hour.

For more information on the Commission or to apply, contact Kyle Patton at kyle.patton@staff.azbar.org or visit here.

City of Phoenix Women’s Commission (4 vacancies)

You can help recommend and implement specific project and programs to improve the status of women in Arizona’s largest city by joining the city’s Women’s Commission. The Commission assists with the city’s recruitment, promotion, and salary equity of women; identify and provide possible solutions for issues that have a disparate impact on women; provide feedback on program ideas developed by the Phoenix City Council, among other things.

There are currently four vacancies. Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor of Phoenix, subject to approval by the Phoenix City Council, for three year terms. Applicants must be residents or employees of the City of Phoenix. The Commission meets on the second Monday of every month from 3:30 to 5:00 pm in the Administrative Conference Room of the Fire Administration Building at 150 S. 12th St.

For more information on the Commission or to apply, contact Shanna Archia at 602.534.1279 or visit here.

City of Phoenix Library Advisory Board (1 vacancy)

Do you want to be part of ensuring vital services—from books to movies to vegetable seeds—are available to the public? Then joining the City of Phoenix Library Advisory Board may be a good fit for you! The Board advises the Phoenix City Council on matters of public interest and public need for services and resources for the library system.

There is currently one vacancy, and the Board members are appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. There are ten meetings per year from noon to one pm on the third Wednesday of the month.

For more information on the Board or how to apply, you can reach out to Sylvia Hernandez at 602.262.7930. Board information, including its bylaws, are available here.

Maricopa County Bar Hall of Fame (Nomination Forms due June 30 and July 30, 2026)

Each spring, MCBA solicits nominations of worthy candidates from the legal community. A selection committee evaluates and selects inductees and those selected are inducted at the MCBA Annual Meeting/Hall of Fame Dinner in the fall. The awards include: MCBA Hall of Fame, Robert R. Mills Member of the Year, Judicial Officer of the Year, and Public Lawyer of the Year.

If you’d like to nominate yourself or another candidate, please contact Julie Birk at jbirk@southbridgelaw.com for additional guidance and support. For more information and nomination forms, visit here. For questions related to selection or the forms, please contact MCBA Executive Director Laurie Williams, lwilliams@maricopabar.org.

Volunteer for State Bar Convention (June 24-26, 2026 in Tucson, AZ)

If you volunteer a half day, you get access to the other half of the day for free. If you volunteer a full day, you get access to another full day for free.

Why Volunteer? Attorneys can attend seminars for free (based on availability). Enjoy a full buffet daily from 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM. Receive convention T-shirts for your shifts.

Complete the interest form here to sign up and look out for an invitation for the June information session.

Join the Bar Leadership Institute (Applications Due by June 19, 2026)

The Bar Leadership Institute (BLI) is more than a program — it’s a launchpad.

If you’re ready to grow your career, make a difference, and join a powerful network of Arizona’s top legal minds, your journey starts here. Through training, mentorship, and opportunities to lead, BLI empowers rising lawyers who will shape the future of our legal profession.

Applications for the Class of 2027 are open now! Learn more and apply here.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact: Noah Coakley 602.340.7309 Noah.Coakley@staff.azbar.org.

Maricopa County Bar Hall of Fame (Nomination Forms due June 30 and July 30, 2026)

If you’d like to nominate yourself or another candidate, please contact Julie Birk at jbirk@southbridgelaw.com for additional guidance and support.

For more information and nomination forms, visit here. For questions related to selection or the forms, please contact MCBA Executive Director Laurie Williams, lwilliams@maricopabar.org.

Appointments to Governing Board Vacancies on Maricopa County School Boards

Current vacancies:

• Aguila Elementary School District - 2 Vacancies
• Alhambra Elementary School District - 1 Vacancy
• Fountain Hills Unified School District - 1 Vacancy
• Phoenix Elementary School District - 1 Vacancy
• Phoenix Union High School District, Ward 1 - 1 Vacancy
• Union Elementary School District - 1 Vacancy

The Commissions are composed of volunteer citizens who are residents or employees of the City of Phoenix. The Commissions consist of seventeen members, serving for a period of three years. Members and the chairperson are appointed by the Mayor and subject to approval of the City Council.

There are currently four vacancies, each, on the Phoenix Women’s Commission (PWC) and Phoenix Human Relations Commission (PHRC).
• The PWC meets on the second Monday of the month at 3:00p.m (Virtual)
• The PHRC meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. (Hybrid)

Information about the commissions and the link to the application can be found here. For questions, please contact: Shanna Archie at shanna.archie@phoenix.gov or at (602)534-1279.