Juan Perez-Medrano Excellence in Public Service Award recognizes an outstanding legal professional who has made extraordinary and exemplary public service contributions to the Pima County legal community. Pima County Bar Foundation proudly presents Denice R. Shepherd, JD, AZLF with the 2025 Juan Perez-Medrano Excellence in Public Service Award.

Denice has been an exceptional force in our legal community, dedicating her time, expertise, and passion to pro bono service for over three decades. Over the years, she consistently accepted case referrals from VLP, assisting children and families with minor guardianships, wills, and other end-of-life planning matters. These cases often involved deeply personal and emotionally complex decisions – such as determining who would care for a child when a parent passed away. Denice never shied away from these challenges, instead embracing them with empathy and professionalism, using her skills to serve those most in need.

Denice’s commitment goes far beyond individual pro bono cases. She has devoted countless hours coaching self-represented litigants through self-help clinics, offering guidance to public interest lawyers, and actively engaging in volunteer, training, and mentoring efforts.

Denice exemplifies competence, dedication, and professionalism through decades of legal experience and a deep commitment to service. She is widely recognized as an expert in her practice areas, yet what sets her apart is her choice to share her knowledge generously with those who need it most. A dedicated mentor to students and young lawyers, Denice is not only sought after be legal organizations for her expertise but also deeply engaged with the broader community. Her service includes leadership roles with the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the Arizona Fiduciaries Association (AFA), and the Supreme Court’s Committee to Improve Probate Court Matters. She has also contributed to the Arizona Women Lawyers Association and served on the Reid Park Zoological Society Board of Directors, including as its President. Her work reflects a rare blend of professional excellence and heartfelt commitment to both the legal field and her community.