Past Awardees Juan Perez-Medrano Excellence in Public Service Award
In 2017, the Pima County Bar Foundation’s (PCBF) Board of Trustees created an annual, public service award which now honors the legacy of Juan Perez-Medrano. Juan's extensive involvement in public service efforts was exemplary, and the Juan Pérez-Medrano Excellence in Public Service Award is an opportunity to honor a legal colleague who reflects his spirit and dedication. The award will be presented at the Pima County Bar Foundation Gala on September 28, 2024.
The purpose of this award is to recognize an outstanding legal professional who has made extraordinary and exemplary public service contributions to the Pima County legal community. Award nominees must meet the following criteria: must be an active PCBA member; have at least 5 years of professional experience; and must have engaged in public service that demonstrates leadership and initiative, and the nominee must be recognized as a model of competence, dedication, and professionalism.
2025 Denice R. Shepherd
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.
2024 Michael Aaron
Michael is a past President of both the Pima County Bar Association and Pima County Bar Foundation, and continues to serve as a Foundation Trustee. Michael has served on nearly every committee of the Foundation and there is no activity of the Foundation that has not benefited from Michael’s direct involvement. Michael helped launch PCBF’s Family Law Clinic and continues with its presentations. He assisted with the Superior Court’s “Court Night” program, going back to its inception. Michael has been a reliable contributor to Law Day and was instrumental to the success of last year’s initial Constitution Day program. Michael has given presentations in the schools for drug awareness and Career Day programs.
Michael, like Juan, is guided by the philosophy that because law is a profession and not merely a business, those of us who have the privilege of practicing the profession also have the ethical responsibility to give something back to our communities. The Pima County legal community and the community-at-large have benefited immeasurably from Michael’s service. PCBF congratulates and extends its gratitude to Michael Aaron, the 2024 recipient of the Juan Perez-Medrano Excellence in Public Service Award.
Michael, like Juan, is guided by the philosophy that because law is a profession and not merely a business, those of us who have the privilege of practicing the profession also have the ethical responsibility to give something back to our communities. The Pima County legal community and the community-at-large have benefited immeasurably from Michael’s service. PCBF congratulates and extends its gratitude to Michael Aaron, the 2024 recipient of the Juan Perez-Medrano Excellence in Public Service Award.
2023 Hon. Nikki Chayet
During her service as a City Magistrate from 1989 until her retirement in 2019, Nikki Chayet has shown a commitment to public service which extends well beyond her judicial role. As a member of the Law College Association Board, she has demonstrated a deep dedication to advancing legal education and promoting the interests of law students. Her active involvement in the Board has proven instrumental in implementing initiatives that enhance the learning experience and ensure the success of aspiring legal professionals. Likewise, her service to Arizona Women Lawyers Association has shown her commitment to the advancement of women in the legal profession. She has served as a mentor and advocate for countless women lawyers over her distinguished career. In 2011, she received the prestigious Alice Truman Leadership Award given by the Southern Arizona Chapter of AWLA.
Nikki volunteers for Tucson Homeless Connect events, whose mission is to provide a single location where local agencies, government, businesses, medical providers, and the faith community collaborate to help homeless persons with basic needs, referrals and advocacy. As a judge, Nikki has helped hundreds of people to resolve outstanding police citations or other court issues that may prevent them from getting jobs or that leave them vulnerable to arrest or incarceration for minor, unresolved offenses. She is a long-time member and past President of the Old Pueblo Chapter of Zonta International, an organization that seeks to empower women worldwide through service and advocacy. Locally, Zonta’s activities supports agencies that help women in crisis.
Nikki has a profound love for the arts, which she leverages as a powerful tool for community development. Recognizing the transformative power of artistic expression, she has actively championed initiatives that promote cultural enrichment and creative engagement. Through her unwavering support for local artists and musicians and dedication to fostering a vibrant artistic community, Nikki has enhanced the quality of life for residents and created opportunities for aspiring artists to thrive.
Nikki volunteers for Tucson Homeless Connect events, whose mission is to provide a single location where local agencies, government, businesses, medical providers, and the faith community collaborate to help homeless persons with basic needs, referrals and advocacy. As a judge, Nikki has helped hundreds of people to resolve outstanding police citations or other court issues that may prevent them from getting jobs or that leave them vulnerable to arrest or incarceration for minor, unresolved offenses. She is a long-time member and past President of the Old Pueblo Chapter of Zonta International, an organization that seeks to empower women worldwide through service and advocacy. Locally, Zonta’s activities supports agencies that help women in crisis.
Nikki has a profound love for the arts, which she leverages as a powerful tool for community development. Recognizing the transformative power of artistic expression, she has actively championed initiatives that promote cultural enrichment and creative engagement. Through her unwavering support for local artists and musicians and dedication to fostering a vibrant artistic community, Nikki has enhanced the quality of life for residents and created opportunities for aspiring artists to thrive.