Building law practice and community in the #dtphx Monroe Abbey

Attorney Terry Goddard leads a tour of the Monroe Abbey, April 21, 2016.

Before the June issue of Arizona Attorney Magazine moves off our digital landing page, I share my editor’s letter from that issue, about a remarkable transformation occurring in downtown Phoenix, and the lawyer driving the change.

Here is a video of Terry Goddard describing the resurrection of the historic First Baptist Church:

 As my column opens:

Do you ever hear from new lawyers wondering what your “best case” was? Or your favorite legal memory?

Monroe Abbey column detail

That may be a hard question, but I’m guessing it doesn’t involve your biggest financial windfall. Or even the one that got written up in your law office’s client newsletter.

Instead, it may have been the case that allowed you to devise a great solution out of what had been a pile of rubble. Perhaps one that made a transformative difference for someone.

I’ve thought about that question a lot as I passed a beautiful hulking mass of a building in downtown Phoenix for more than 10 years. After many trials and tribulations—and even a blistering fire—the historic First Baptist Church is on its way back to making a useful community contribution.

To me, there’s no surprise that an attorney has been driving that preservation effort.

 Terry Goddard served as Phoenix Mayor from 1984 to 1990, and as Arizona Attorney General from 2003 to 2011. But it took more than good lawyering to see the potential in the 1929 building, which was ravaged by fire in 1984. Gazing in dismay at the empty shell, Goddard decided to take action. He founded a nonprofit—called Housing Opportunities Center—that purchased the church and saved it from what was almost certain demolition in 1992.

Today called the Monroe Abbey, the structure sat, safe but fragile, for 22 years—the amount of time needed to raise renovation funds. Finally, in 2014 and 2015, work began to better stabilize the building and make adaptive reuse possible.

Read the complete column here.

Follow the Abbey itself here.

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Lawyer-leader Richard Segal recalled at Phoenix Community Alliance

Dick Segal when a student at North Phoenix High School

Recalling attorneys who have done great things for the community is always a pleasure, and that is what took me to an event back on September 10. In the old Phoenix courthouse, fellow leaders from the Phoenix Community Alliance gathered to remember the achievements of Richard Segal.

He had died suddenly on April 18. (I noted his passing here. And read his obituary here.)

Among other things, Segal was the longtime managing partner of Gust Rosenfeld and former State Bar President. In a historic conference room, though, in an event deftly led by PCA President Don Keuth, folks mainly recalled Dick as a founding officer of the PCA.

Marty Shultz recalls Dick Segal, Sept. 10, 2014.

Marty Shultz reminded listeners of Segal’s calm in the face of chaos. He would routinely “pipe in with a soft voice with the most useful solutions to problems.”

Terry Goddard praised the organization and the man.

Terry Goddard recalls Dick Segal, Sept. 10, 2014.

“PCA’s formation as a triumph of hope over reality,” he said. “Quietly, competently, he kept PCA on track, on mission.”

Hon. Glenn Davis (ret.) recalls Dick Segal, Sept. 10, 2014.

Retired Judge Glenn Davis praised Segal’s support for the Maricopa County Justice Museum & Learning Center, which shared a floor with the conference room. He urged attendees to view the Legal Hall of Fame display next door, which included Segal, “a lawyer’s lawyer.”

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton recalls Dick Segal, Sept. 10, 2014.

The current Phoenix Mayor, Greg Stanton, estimated that Dick Segal had worked with 13 mayors, “always prodding them toward excellence.”

Dick Segal

“Dick knew that positive change wasn’t a spectator sport,” Stanton continued. “He was present, always there.”

Mayor Stanton told those assembled that the accumulated value of the legal time given pro bono by Dick and his firm “must run into the 10s of millions of dollars.”

The Mayor also noted that Dick was instrumental in launching the Downtown Phoenix Partnership and in bringing an office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to Arizona. He also helped in creating the Human Services Campus near downtown.

“Our city needs more Dick Segals,” the Mayor concluded.

For more information on the gathering and the man, read the Downtown Devil article.

And if you have not visited the Museum, head over there soon. Here are a few images (click to enlarge).

Maricopa County Justice Museum

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Lawyers, Other Performers Deliver the Goods in Same-Sex Marriage @8thePlay

As I sidled my way last night past the crowds into the Herberger Theater in downtown Phoenix, I must admit I was skeptical. An entire play constructed mainly of a trial transcript? Really?

Anyone who has been to a trial or two knows you would need a genius writer to make that come together into dramatic arts. And so the play “8” had one: Dustin Lance Black had whittled a trial into an evening that was provocative, funny and compelling.

I mentioned the play last Friday, and I was pleased that my family and I were able to attend. “8” tells the story of the trial over the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage.

Black drew on his mondo skills to shape a play comprised almost entirely of the trial transcript. There are a few moments that are tough sledding, especially, I imagine, for the many nonlawyers in the house. Arguing over the standard of review is often a game-changer in a case, but it’s an oddly shaped building block in crafting compelling theater.

Performers in the play 8, Herberger Center Theatre, Phoenix, May 7, 2013

There are only a few of those moments, though. The craft and the words selected were amazing. And what consistently impressed was the quality of the performances. Non-actors almost all, the cast delivered a rousing and entirely convincing play.

I know that one actor–director was cast, to fabulous results. Ron May is the founder and artistic director of Stray Cat Theatre, and his rendition of a witness was wow-inspiring. Cast as David Blankenhorn, May encapsulated eloquently the ideologue who had never been challenged to defend his beliefs before he sat in a witness chair. As he is cross-examined by David Boies of Bush v. Gore fame (played superbly by lawyer and Phoenix Councilman Tom Simplot), bluster turns to anger turns to frustration turns to near-total capitulation. As the steam escapes from Blankenhorn’s pompous world view, the state’s case deflates before the audience’s eyes. If there’s one thing we know, it’s more Ron May, please.

View from Balcony, Row EE (hint: buy tickets earlier).

The strong performing continued with the attorneys. Amazing work was delivered by Grant Woods (as Ted Olson), Nicole France Stanton (as plaintiff Sandy Stier), Terry Goddard (as trial Judge Vaughn Walker), and Bill Sheppard.

A marvelous moment occurred after the play and during a brief audience-question session. One man (whom I couldn’t see from the nosebleed section) rose to praise Grant Woods. The speaker said that when he was a young Assistant Attorney General 23 years ago, he had serious concerns about being a gay man in the large public agency. But he said that Woods had told him that all he would ever be judged on in that office was merit, the quality of his work. That compelling memory led to a standing ovation for the former Attorney General, which grew to include his own fellow performers.

(Years ago, I had the chance to appear on the Herberger stage in a father–daughter performance with our wonderfully ever-patient Willa. I thought I had turned in a pretty good show. But then I saw Grant Woods get a well-deserved standing ovation, so I think I’m done.)

Grant Woods gets a standing ovation, Herberger Theatre Center, May 7, 2013.

My family and I greatly enjoyed the show. And I must add what especially struck me (caution: lawyer moment approaching):

It was remarkable to see, via the true-to-life transcripts, the power that an actual trial may have. In an age when trials are rarer and rarer and they are derided as the ultimate failure of negotiated resolution, it’s worth remembering that truth often peeks out of that ancient construct. Outside the courtroom, lying, puffery, bullying and rants may win the day. But seated in that witness chair, required to endure a series of simple questions, those resting on a crumbling foundation often founder. Except for the sociopathic, misstatements and worse cause discomfort and anxiety when one is required to raise a hand and utter an oath.

Not such a bad message to learn, for lawyers and nonlawyers alike.

Congratulations to all who participated.

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Learned Hand Award Winners Tout Ethics, Rule of Law

Cookies may be stale, but the message may last.

Three weeks may be too far past an event to report much value—that is, for most events. But a few speakers I heard in March—and failed to report on in a timely way—still yielded insights I believe are worth sharing. This cookie, as they say, ain’t stale.

The first event to share—the one most distant in time—is the annual Learned Hand Awards luncheon. As always, the three honorees were well chosen. And, in a Learned Hand tradition, just as much was expected of the introducer’s speech as was of the honoree herself.

Justice Scott Bales emceed, and he hit exactly the right note by honoring the anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright. In a ballroom full of lawyers, the reference was spot on.

Nicole France Stanton at the Learned Hand Awards luncheon, 2013

The first award—called the Emerging Leadership Award—went to Nicole France Stanton. Andy Sherwood explained her talented background, as well as her commitment to fight bullying and cystic fibrosis.

Stanton urged all lawyers to find their ethical center.

“Finding your voice as a leader at a law firm does not have to wait until you’re an equity partner,” she concluded.

Terry Fenzl introduces Terry Goddard.

Terry Fenzl took a more humorous tack in his introduction of the next honoree, Terry Goddard. He displayed—with accompanying ribbing—a photo of a boyish Goddard being sworn in as Phoenix Mayor in 1984.

But like Learned Hand, Fenzl said, Goddard always spoke up for the rule of law, in the fight over polygamy in a Utah border town, in the use of methamphetamine, in mortgage fraud.

Goddard used his speech indicate his gratitude—a commonplace in remarks like these—but also to hurl some political barbs.

“I remember I got to discuss constitutional law with Russell Pearce,” he said. “Maybe not the highest point of my career, but memorable nonetheless.”

He criticized the efforts of legislators to alter the law regarding recall elections, including making the new law’s effects retroactive.

“They claimed it was the will of the people,” Goddard said, “and not just trying to save Joe Arpaio’s behind.”

“Respect for the rule of law is not common in Arizona,” he concluded.

Charles “Chick” Arnold, 2013 Learned Hand Awards

The final honoree was Charles “Chick” Arnold, of Arnold v. Sarn fame. It was his lawsuit that led to massive changes in the way the State of Arizona addressed the needs of it mentally ill residents.

Arnold’s advocate was Judge James McDougall, and he provided eloquent testimony as to Arnold’s fitness for the award. He recalled how the then-Maricopa County Public Fiduciary filed a class action suit on behalf of his 600 wards, demanding that the state live up to its statutory obligations to provide a “continuum of services” for those who had been deinstitutionalized.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors were angered by the action and fired Arnold—only to have to reinstate him after a separate lawsuit.

The stories reflecting courage were touching and remarkable. And that pointed out a fact that I should have noticed in covering years of Hand lunches: The speeches tend to get better and better as the lunch goes on. Not because the speech drafters vary widely in skill level—they all tend to be excellent writers. No, the difference comes from the vastness of life stories that the (usually) older lawyers can marshall.

And so the day opened with ethics and then moved seamlessly to the rule of law, featured by both Goddard and Arnold. Terry Goddard reflected on his career through the prism of that rule, and Arnold did also, always believing that his obligation to his wards trumped his duty to his employer. And for that, all of Arizona should be grateful.

Terry Goddard congratulates Chick Arnold following the 2013 Learned Hand Awards

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Minority Bar Convention Shared History

Former Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard at the Minority Bar Convention, April 15, 2011

“The death of a man was the birth of a movement.”

That was one of the sorrowful yet inspiring messages conveyed at this year’s Minority Bar Convention, sponsored by the State Bar of Arizona.

Held in Phoenix last week on Thursday and Friday, it featured a roundup of seminars, updates from sister bar associations, a free-wheeling assessment of Arizona’s immigration laws, and a re-enactment of a historic trial.

The opening quotation comes from that re-enactment. There, a wide variety of lawyers stood in for participants in the murder case of the victim Victor Chin (which I previewed here). The 1982 death and legal case that followed yielded little justice, according to the family of the dead man. But it did lead to an awakening among Asian Americans of the need to protect their civil liberties.

As a speaker introduced the case, “Though the case is no longer infamous, for Asian Americans it has never stopped being iconic.”

That case began in a Detroit strip club, and ended with a young Chinese American bridegroom bludgeoned with a baseball bat just blocks away. Chin died four days later.

Lisa Loo at the Minority Bar Convention, April 14, 2011

The seminar examined the tenor of the times, when American auto workers were losing a car-battle to the Japanese, and anyone of Asian descent was subject to ridicule—or worse.

The two men who killed Chin eventually were convicted of manslaughter and given three years’ probation, fined $3,000 and ordered to pay $780 in court costs.

As the trial judge had said in a quotation that infuriated the community, “These weren’t the kind of men you sent to jail.”

In a subsequent 1984 federal trial alleging civil rights violations, one of the men was found guilty of one count, whereas the second was acquitted. But the family’s pain was not complete. Due to problems at and before trial, the Sixth Circuit reversed and ordered a new trial. Upon retrial in Cincinnati rather than Detroit, a jury found the defendant not guilty.

Polled afterward last Friday, the room of lawyers at the Minority Bar Convention was split on whether they would have convicted. Even among those who found the behavior criminal, many lawyers hesitated as they examined the evidence. As one attendee noted, “Bad cases make bad law. This was a state court case that never should have been elevated to a federal case.”

Not all agreed with that, as became evident in a conversation among panelists moderated by Jose Cardenas, formerly of Lewis and Roca and now the General Counsel at ASU. On the panel were former Judge (now professor) Penny Willrich, Annie Lai of the ACLU, Melanie Pate of the Arizona Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division, and lawyer Margarita Silva.

As Professor Willrich said, “When will it ever end? If people’s hearts don’t change, the violence never will.”

Also featured that morning were clips from the 1987 documentary “Who Killed Vincent Chin?” which was nominated for an Academy Award.

The programming continued that morning with a panel of three prominent lawyers discussing Arizona’s immigration laws. Former Attorney General Terry Goddard, former state Representative David Lujan and state Senator Adam Driggs took on the most hot-button of topics.

More photos are at the Arizona Attorney Magazine Facebook page.

 

Farewell

Terry Goddard, Arizona Attorney General

Terry Goddard’s last day as Arizona Attorney General comes next Monday, and he has penned a farewell to state residents in today’s Arizona Republic.

Most everyone you talk with will admit that Goddard was always a class act. (In fact, criticism of his campaign this year tends to focus on his being too nice—what a problem to have!).

So friendly and open was he that it was common for people—including journalists—to refer to him simply as “Terry.”

Kind and friendly, yes, but always wry and observant. We wrote about one of his campaign speeches back in October, when he had a room of supporters rollicking.

Terry exits stage left just as state government devolves into problems that are more intractable than ever before. Here’s hoping that he finds new ways to serve the state that he loves.

As Terry wrote today:

Thank you, Arizona, for the pleasure and privilege of serving as your attorney general.

This has been the hardest job I have ever loved! I have to agree with Bill Clinton when he said being AG was “the best job I ever had. I didn’t have to appoint or disappoint, and if I ever had to do anything really unpopular, I could blame it on the Constitution.”

As I get ready to leave office Monday, I recall vivid moments both good and not so good. The legal victories were sweet, but my list includes unforgettable personal experiences – some funny, some poignant and many inspiring.

Read his complete comments here.

Farewell,  General Goddard.

 

Trudging Toward the Polls

Barbara Rodriguez Mundell

Yesterday’s Candidate Forum was informative—even if most of the people in the room had already mailed in their early ballot.

Despite that probability, the Arizona Women Lawyers Association packed a banquet room at the Phoenix Wyndham Hotel. Perhaps in a state where arts funding has been cut so severely, people are hungry for the only theater still yielding long runs—political theater.

The event was moderated by former Maricopa County Presiding Judge Barbara Rodriguez Mundell.

Attending were two candidates for Attorney General: Democrat Felecia Rotellini and Republican Tom Horne.

Terry Goddard

Also speaking was Democratic candidate for Governor Terry Goddard. Appearing for the Republican ticket was, well, no one.

That fact didn’t trouble Goddard, who opened with what must be a practiced line by now: “I’m happy to wait a few more minutes for the Governor to appear.” Today, he reminded the audience, would be the 15th public event (by his count) that Gov. Jan Brewer had declined to attend to wrestle with issues in the company of her adversary.

Felecia Rotellini

“No problem,” said Goddard with a smile. “I’ll be happy to take both sides.”

He said that job-creation had to be “Job One.” In addition, “We will never recover our economy as long as our schools are dead last in the nation.”

“We have to put all the crazy political games aside,” he continued. “We must get more result-oriented and less interested in what Fox News cares about.”

He poked fun at the Governor’s billboard ads, in which her face is superimposed over that of Rosie the Riveter, rolling up her sleeves.

“Never has Rosie been so maligned. She was getting the job done, while Jan Brewer was borrowing $200 million every month.”

Tom Horne

His largest laugh? When he said, “I promise this: To keep Arizona off Comedy Central for at least four years.”

Perhaps because the AG portion of the luncheon enjoyed the attendance of both opponents, the conversation had more law and less rhetoric.

Rotellini and Horne each detailed their goals for the office. Number 1 on both of their lists? Border security.

(Here is Mary Jo Pitzl’s far better account of yesterday’s forum, as it appears in the Arizona Republic.)

I’ll leave you with:

• Tom Horne’s best line today: “When I appeared at the Ninth Circuit for the oral argument of Horne v. Flores, I introduced myself as schools superintendent—and as the shadow Attorney General, because our elected AG would not pursue the case.”
• Felecia Rotellini’s best line today: “Voters don’t want the office used as a battering ram for political ideology. They want results. I am the only candidate who has prosecuted a criminal in Arizona.”

Here are a few photos from the event.

Barbara Rodriguez Mundell

Terry Goddard

Felecia Rotellini

Tom Horne

 

SOS Congress

A constellation of immigration stories in the past few days suggests the depth of Arizona’s immigration debate. But it also points us to a possible solution.

First off, this Sunday morning saw a unique spatial approach to the immigration argument. It featured hundreds of people standing in the parking lot of the Heard Museum and forming a human postcard to send to Washington.

Their message? “S.O.S. Congress.” The words conveyed the notion that Arizona is more than just SB1070, and that Arizona—or any individual state—is not the best constitutional laboratory in which to cook up an immigration regime. No, the organizers insisted, the federal government is charged with immigration matters, so get to work.

 

(Gazing at the news photo, it took me a minute to realize that the organizers had placed three people as the periods in the acronym “S.O.S.” That is an attention to detail—and grammar—that has been woefully lacking in our immigration debate. Well played!)

It was organized by Kimber Lanning, downtown businesswoman and Local First Arizona founder and front person. Her position is that a good result will not flow from boycotts, but from comprehensive immigration reform.

Attorney General Terry Goddard at Sunday's event

Standing in the early-morning heat at the Heard were families with kids, the young, the old, some pets, and even some politicos, including Attorney General Terry Goddard, former City Councilman Greg Stanton, and legislative candidate Ken Clark.

Read a news story here.

And here are some photos from the Sunday event. (Thank you to Kathy Nakagawa, Frances McMahon Ward and Madison Ward for the great photos. The overhead shot is by Tom Tingle at the Arizona Republic.)

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(This past Friday evening was yet another panel discussion on SB1070. This one was held at the Phoenix law firm Fennemore Craig, and it was sponsored by the Arizona Latino Media Association. I got the notice about it Friday afternoon, so I’m very sorry I couldn’t attend. Panelists were legislator John Kavanagh, lawyers Antonio Bustamante and Nancy-Jo Merritt, and the terrific writer Terry Greene Sterling. Read her blog here.)

But I promised a possible solution, didn’t I?

That came to me yesterday while I read yet another story about Governor Jan Brewer’s recent statement about the topic. She continues to allege that the majority of immigrants coming across the southern border are not coming for work. No, she says; they are ferrying drugs and fueling that criminal economy.

“And they’re doing drop houses, and they’re extorting people and they’re terrorizing the families. … The majority of the illegal trespassers that are coming (into) the state of Arizona are under the direction and control of organized drug cartels.”

The majority, eh? Even John McCain had to demurely dissent on that one. But it got me to thinking, especially when I read this morning’s story about the state’s crumbling health care infrastructure.

That story led with the tale of a woman who faced a terrible dilemma as state benefits end.

“[Deborah] Ferry is one of more than 12,000 adults with mental illnesses who do not qualify for Medicaid and will lose access to brand-name drugs, case managers, therapists, hospital care and transportation to their appointments when the cuts take effect Thursday.”

“When this all falls down, it’s going to be total chaos,” said Donna Hayes, who has received mental-health services in Arizona since 1979. “There are going to be more suicides, more hospital stays, more people living on the streets.”

I bet you’ve already figured out my brainstorm. Here are the steps to the modest proposal:

1. Arizona has many immigrants coming across our borders every year.
2. Whether they come from Mexico or Canada, they all have access to more inexpensive drugs than we do in the United States.
3. If you were to believe the governor, many of those migrants are already accomplished at transporting drugs.
4. Masses of Arizona residents are about to encounter a bleak future as our Legislature opts to end many medical benefits.

What does this add up to? Well, it’s a veritable Marshall Plan that can deliver inexpensive medication to Arizona residents.

Win–win, as they say in politics. And you heard it here first.

 

Goddard Honored With National Award

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, left, and Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, current President of the National Association of Attorneys General (photo by Marjorie Tharp, NAAG)

So I was in the Fort Lauderdale Airport …

I’d wager that no good blog post ever began with that phrase.

In any case, on Monday I strolled a humid terminal, clutching a call list in my hand. On a layover on my trip to Washington DC, I checked my office messages and scrawled them onto the back of a business card. And then I started dialing.

One call was to Molly Edwards, the Arizona Attorney General’s press secretary, who had left me a message about a story idea. I punched in her number, and waited, sweat beading on my forehead while Everglades-like moisture washed over the traveling public. And there was me, without my pontoon boat.

“Hi, Arizona Attorney General’s Office. This is Molly.”

“Hi, Molly, is Terry there?”

Long pause.

“Terry? You mean Terry Goddard?”

That snapped me to attention like the climax of Cape Fear. No, not Terry Goddard, the Attorney General himself.

As I read my call list, I had let my mind wander. Two calls down that list, I read the name “Terry,” another attorney who had left a message. Conflating the present call and a future name, I had inadvertently asked to be put through directly to the AG—all before I had even had the courtesy to identify myself.

“No, not Terry Goddard,” I said, “I mean Molly. I mean you.”

Good one, so suave. HANG UP NOW, my mind demanded. Call back in 15 and she’ll never know.

“Yeah,” said Molly, laughing, “most people don’t call and ask for Terry himself.”

Maybe it was the kindness of her laugh that led me to soldier on.

“Sorry, Molly. This is Tim Eigo at Arizona Attorney, returning your call.”

Good so far. But not for long.

Me: “When I said ‘Terry’ I was thinking about another call I have to make.”

Molly, after a confused pause: “You mean you weren’t calling me back?”

Me, defeated: “No, no, I was … it’s just that … How are you? What’s up?”

Gracious as always, Molly went directly to the subject at hand. Terry Goddard had won a national award, bestowed on him by the National Association of Attorneys General.

We may cover this important award in an upcoming issue. But for now, here is the AG’s press release, complete with insights from other Arizona notables.

And as for this Arizona dry-heat correspondent, I’ll aim to be more alert on calls when it’s above 80% humidity. Damn the dampness—no more clammy-calling.

Office of Attorney General Terry Goddard

 Terry Goddard Honored with Highest Award from Nation’s Attorneys General

(Phoenix, Ariz. – June 17, 2010) Attorney General Terry Goddard received the prestigious Kelley-Wyman award last night from the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) at the organization’s annual summer meeting in Seattle, Washington.

The Kelley-Wyman Award is the association’s highest honor and is presented to the Attorney General who has done the most to advance the objectives of the association. It is sometimes referred to as the “Attorney General of the Year” award. Goddard was selected to receive this honor in recognition of his work on the $94 million Western Union recovery, as well as his leadership on a number of law enforcement initiatives, including mortgage fraud and the multi-state tobacco settlement.

“Attorney General Terry Goddard demonstrates the collegial and collaborative efforts that NAAG strives to facilitate among its membership,” stated NAAG President Jon Bruning, the Republican Attorney General of Nebraska.

“His guidance and perseverance led to the groundbreaking agreement among the four Southwest border states and Western Union that will provide substantial resources for law enforcement to combat money laundering,” Bruning added. “General Goddard has been instrumental in combating Mexican drug cartels that threaten the security of the U.S.-Mexican border. He has worked with Mexico’s top law enforcement officials to increase cross-border cooperation.”

“AG Goddard very much deserves this prestigious award,” said Paul Charlton, former U.S. Attorney for Arizona. “Terry has taken on the drug cartels, human smugglers, and border crime in effective and creative ways. He is a thoughtful prosecutor whose good work has now been recognized nationally by his peers.”

“As a border Sheriff, I know how hard the Attorney General has worked to provide resources to local law enforcement in the battle against the drug cartels,” stated Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik. “He understands that only through close partnerships with local law enforcement, the federal government, and Mexican law enforcement officials can we truly win the battle against these criminals. I congratulate the Attorney General and his team for winning this prestigious award.”

“Attorney General Goddard has led the way in working with local law enforcement and prosecutors in fighting drug cartels and border crime,” said Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney. “I applaud NAAG for selecting him for this prestigious award.”

“I would like to thank my fellow Attorneys General for this recognition of the great work we have done fighting border crime and mortgage fraud,” Goddard said. “This award is a welcome pat on the back to the hard-working men and women of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and our law enforcement partners. For almost eight years, I’ve had the privilege to work with my fellow Attorneys General across political and regional divides to find common ground to benefit our citizens. We have a proud tradition among the AGs of independence from outside pressure and dedication to the law.”

The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) was founded in 1907 to help Attorneys General fulfill the responsibilities of their office and to assist in the delivery of high-quality legal services to the states and territories. The Association fosters interstate cooperation on legal and law enforcement issues, conducts policy research and analysis of issues, and facilitates communication among the states’ chief legal officers. . The Association’s members are the Attorneys General of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

Goddard is the third Arizona Attorney General to win the Kelley-Wyman Award. Prior winners were Grant Woods in 1994 and Gary Nelson in 1970.

For additional information, contact Press Secretary Molly Edwards at 602.542.8019.

###

 

Reading the Law

Today is “Change of Venue” day at AZ Attorney. In honor of our casual Friday, consider the media understatement of the month.

This morning’s Washington Post began with a story that opens, “J.D. Hayworth is a voluble man.”

Well, they had me at “J.D.,” but adding that “voluble” hook drew me in immediately. And it only got better from there.

Here is the takeaway from the article by reporter Peter Slevin:

In a closely watched campaign increasingly defined by who can take the hardest line, Hayworth is a border hawk who called his book about immigration policy, “Whatever It Takes.”

That nut graf comes early in the article. The remaining 17 grafs are a close analysis of what’s going on in the Senate race between J.D. Hayworth and incumbent John McCain.

But here in the state, we know that this particular race—and almost all politics at every level in an election year—can be described as “Whatever It Takes.”

J.D. Hayworth

I’m not adding anything earth-shattering when I say that we as a nation appear to get little real information on important issues in an election season (which, let’s face it, extends beyond one year at a stretch). Or if we get it, it’s had to come by.

So here’s the rub: This serious race, in a high-profile state (if we do say so ourselves), is likely going to come down to which candidate “out-toughs” the other.

Now, there were many things to enjoy about junior-high school. Free period. Work days that ended at 3:00. Fart jokes. But governance based on shouting is something most of us have been happy to leave behind.

That said, it ain’t just the politicos who contribute to this. It also, gulp, can be that demon media.

Sen. John McCain

This week, the Arizona Republic indulged in a three-part Immigration series. It sought to examine deeply an issue that has been divisive in the state and the country. It did pretty well.

But Wednesday’s article made me scratch my head. It was titled “Key Critics of Arizona Immigration Law Admit Not Reading It.” It’s written by Dan Nowicki.

“Get OUT!” as my 14-year-old daughter would say. You’re kidding?! You mean every person speaking on laws, pending and passed, has not read every word of the legislative jewels that emerge from the sausage factory?

Well, gosh, I thought we knew that. But in the Arizona Republic, it was front-page, above-the-fold news. How, exactly, is that contributing to a deeper understanding of the law and its effects?

A book and an election-year mantra

But, fair being fair, I have a recommendation. Let’s make that the new test: “Have you read it?”

Of course, that could make many top officials uncomfortable. They are busy with their many obligations. I thought that’s why they employ staff to do things like read and vet legislation, rather than read every word themselves.

But there’s a new standard in town. And that may be bad news for Arizona Governor Jan Brewer.

Howie Fischer reported this week that Arizona has joined the growing lawsuit against the federal health care insurance reform initiative. That occurred when Governor Brewer obtained the thumbs-up from a compliant Legislature after her Attorney General, Terry Goddard, refused. (We covered the health care lawsuit here. We think we were pretty witty that day.)

The Governor has been pretty vociferous in going after the new federal law. So I’m expecting the Republic to contact the Governor’s Office to ask her: “Have you read it?”

Inquiring minds—shallow, junior-high minds—want to know.

Here is the complete Washington Post story.