PeoplePatricia Lee Refo
Patricia Lee Refo
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Patricia Lee Refo

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PeoplePatricia Lee Refo

  • University of Michigan School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
  • University of Michigan (B.A., high honors and high distinction)

  • United States Judicial Conference
    • Advisory Committee on the Federal Rules of Evidence (2000-2006)
      (appt'd by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist)
  • Arizona Supreme Court
    • Advisory Committee on Rules of Evidence (2010-present)
    • Business Courts Advisory Committee (2014-2015)
  • American Bar Association
    • Rule of Law Initiative, Board Member (present)
    • President (2020-2021)
    • President-Elect (2019)
    • ABA Day in Washington
      • Chair (2016-2018)
      • House of Delegates
        • Chair (2014-2016)
      • Executive Committee (2014-2016)
      • Section of Litigation
        • Chair (2003-2004)
        • Executive Committee (1994-2010)
      • Standing Committee on Membership (2008-2012)
        • Chair (2008-2011)
      • American Jury Project
        • Chair (2004-2005)
        • Special Consultant and Member (2005-2014)
      • Commission on Civic Education and the Separation of Powers (2005-2007)
  • American Bar Endowment, Director (2009-2014)
  • ALI Litigation Advisory Panel (2008-present)
  • National Association of Women Lawyers
    • Committee for the Evaluation of Supreme Court Nominees, Co-Chair (2005-2014)
  • Commercial Lending Litigation News, LRP Publications
    • Board of Advisors (1989-present)
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education, Fellow
  • American Law Institute

Trish Refo is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs and has appeared in hundreds of programs in the United States and internationally.

  • Walter E. Craig Distinguished Service Award, Arizona Bar Foundation (2023)
  • Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, AzBusiness Magazine (2023-2024)
  • Legal Champion, Berkeley Research Group (2021)
  • World Jurist Association Medal of Honor (2021)
  • AzBusiness Leaders 2021, AZ Big Media 
  • Outstanding Women in Business Award, Phoenix Business Journal (2020)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants (2003-2024), Bet-the-Company Litigation (2003-2015), Corporate Law (2003-2013)
    • Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Legal Malpractice Law (2012)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation (2007-2022)
    • Top 25 Female Lawyers in Arizona (2013, 2022-2023)
  • Who's Who Legal, Commercial Litigation (2008-2018)
  • Maricopa County Bar Association Hall of Fame (2017)
  • President's Award, State Bar of Arizona (2014)
  • ABA Jury System Impact Award (2009)
  • The 50 Most Influential Women Lawyers in America, The National Law Journal (May 2007)
  • Distinguished Achievement Award, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University (2007)
  • William Reese Smith Jr. Distinguished Lecturer in Litigation Ethics, Stetson Law School (2006)

  • American Bar Endowment, Board of Directors (present) 
  • Stratford Hall, Board of Directors (present) 
    • Audit Committee Chair 
  • Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Leaders Council
  • University of Michigan College of Literature, Science & the Arts, Honors Alumni Council (2016-present)
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum, Council Member (Arizona Representative)
  • Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
    • Director (2005-2011)
  • Arizona Foundation for Women, Director (1999-2005)
  • Arizona Academic Decathlon Association
    • Director (1997-2001)
  • The Episcopal Parish of St. Barnabas on the Desert
    • Finance Committee (2011-present)
    • Senior Warden (2008-2011)

  • Jenner & Block, Chicago, Illinois, Partner (1990-1996), Associate (1983-1990)

  • Arizona
  • Illinois

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • Supreme Court of Illinois
  • United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona
  • United States Supreme Court