Trish Refo is the Past President of the American Bar Association. Her practice is concentrated in complex commercial litigation and internal investigations, with extensive experience in professional malpractice defense, commercial and business torts, financial institutions litigation, class actions and trade secret litigation. She chairs the firm's Professional Liability Litigation group. Trish is a sought-after speaker at international, national, state and local continuing legal education conferences. A thought leader on litigation and trial issues, Trish has been named one of the most influential women lawyers in the country. She has served as Chair of the ABA House of Delegates and the ABA Section of Litigation. Trish served on the Arizona Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on the Rules of Evidence, and is a former member of the Advisory Committee on the Federal Rules of Evidence of the United States Judicial Conference.
Obtained defense verdict for "Am Law 200" law firm on malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty claims
Obtained summary judgment for "Am Law 100" law firm on malpractice and related claims
Defended major accounting firm in arbitration
Represented numerous clients in securities and consumer fraud class actions
Obtained dismissal of breach of fiduciary duty claims against large foundation and defended dismissal on appeal
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.
"Careers in the Law," Presentation, University of Michigan College of Literature, Science and the Arts (September 10, 2023)
"Lawyers Under Threat: Increasing Suppression of the Legal Profession in Belarus," Speaker, United Nations 47th Session of the Human Rights Council (July 6, 2021)
"Lawyers Across the Globe and Around the Clock: An Unprecedented Rule of Law 24-Hour Webathon," Speaker, American Bar Association Webinar (May 4, 2021)
Annual Meeting of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, Keynote Speaker (August 29, 2020)
"Back to School in the Time of COVID-19: Civil Rights Implications as Children Return to School," Welcome Remarks, ABA Section on Civil Rights and Social Justice Webinar (August 28, 2020)
"Training the Next Generation of Lawyers," Litigation (Summer 2003)
"Closing Argument: A String of Pearls," Litigation (Fall 1998)
"Class Action Controversies," Co-Author, Practicing Law Institute (1992, 1994)
"Notice to the Class," Co-Author, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (1986, Supplements 1990, 1992, 1996)
Walter E. Craig Distinguished Service Award, Arizona Bar Foundation (2023)
Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, AzBusiness Magazine (2023)
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
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