The Deb Elkins “Volunteer of the Year” Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution through commitment, service, creativity, and/or leadership in their volunteer role. It recognizes those special members of our legal community who give their time and talents not because they have to, but because they believe in making a difference.

 

This year, the Pima County Bar Foundation is proud to present the 2026 Deb Elkins “Volunteer of the Year” Award to Mimi Petro and Lisa Anne Smith in recognition of their extraordinary service and dedication to the Legal Community Against Hunger.

 

For decades, the Legal Community Against Hunger, or LCAH, has brought together lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants, law firms, agencies, and members of the legal community to support the vital work of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Since 1988, LCAH has raised more than $750,000 to help relieve hunger and provide assistance to individuals and families throughout our community.

 

At the heart of this effort have been Mimi and Lisa Anne, who have served as Co-Chairs of LCAH and dedicated countless volunteer hours to making the campaign successful year after year.

 

Their leadership has gone far beyond simply organizing a campaign. They have been hands-on every step of the way. They wrote articles, coordinated communications, prepared mailings, stamped envelopes, recruited participants, encouraged donations, followed up with supporters, and kept the campaign moving forward. They did the work, both the highly visible and the behind-the-scenes tasks, to make sure LCAH continued to thrive.

 

And that is precisely what makes this award so fitting.

 

Melissa “Mimi” Noshay-Petro is a native Tucsonan and an accomplished attorney practicing in business law, real estate, estate planning, and probate. She represents individuals and organizations in forming, operating, and selling businesses and regularly assists clients with business and real estate transactions, financing, leasing, intellectual property, and estate planning.

 

Mimi graduated magna cum laude from Northern Arizona University and earned her J.D. from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif. She has shared her knowledge through numerous educational presentations for veterans, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and community groups.

 

Her commitment to service is equally impressive. Mimi has served with organizations including the Tucson Industrial Development Authority, the First Avenue Citizens Task Force, SCORE Southern Arizona, the Veterans Business Outreach Center, and the Pima County Library. Her years of service to LCAH are another reflection of her belief that lawyers have an important role to play in strengthening the community they serve.

 

Lisa Anne Smith is the Managing Shareholder of her firm's Tucson office and practices primarily in education law, employment law, and civil litigation. She has extensive trial experience in state and federal court and has represented clients in administrative hearings and appellate proceedings.

 

Lisa Anne graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with degrees in architecture and philosophy and earned her J.D. from the University of Arizona College of Law, where she graduated second in her class. She has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and in 2025 was named Best Lawyers’ 2026 Tucson Employment Law–Management “Lawyer of the Year.” In 2023, she was also honored as Pro Bono Attorney of the Year by the U.S. District Court, Tucson Division.

 

But just as with Mimi, Lisa Anne’s accomplishments are not limited to her legal career. She has devoted her time and talents to educating others, serving her profession, and giving back to the community. Her leadership with LCAH demonstrates that commitment in a particularly meaningful way.

Together, Mimi and Lisa Anne have shown us that volunteer leadership is about more than having a title - it is about showing up, doing the work, finding creative solutions, encouraging others, and staying committed to a cause year after year.

 

Through their service, creativity, and tireless dedication, they have strengthened a longstanding initiative and helped make a meaningful difference in the lives of Southern Arizonans experiencing food insecurity.

The Deb Elkins “Volunteer of the Year” Award celebrates exactly that kind of commitment. Mimi and Lisa Anne embody the spirit of the award and reflect the very best of service to both the legal profession and our broader community.

 

Please join us in congratulating the Pima County Bar Foundation’s 2026 Deb Elkins “Volunteer of the Year” Award recipients - Mimi Petro and Lisa Anne Smith!