Patricia Lee Refo, Partner at our Phoenix law office
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Patricia Lee Refo

Partner
Biography

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.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona
  • Illinois


Court Admissions

  • 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


Education

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

Awards & Recognition

  • Walter E. Craig Distinguished Service Award, Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education (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 (2003-2025), 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, 2024)
    • 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)

Representative Matters

  • 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
  • Obtained unanimous Arizona Supreme Court opinion interpreting voter referendum
  • Conducted internal investigations for clients in numerous industries

Previous Professional Experience

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

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • 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 (2010-2020)
    • Business Courts Advisory Committee (2014-2015)
  • American Bar Association
    • Rule of Law Initiative, Board Member (2021-Present)
    • President (2020-2021)
    • Executive Committee (2014-2016, 2019-2022)
    • ABA Day in Washington
      • Chair (2016-2018)
    • House of Delegates
      • Chair (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)
  • Legal Services Corporation
    • LSC 50th Anniversary Coordinating Committee
    • Leaders Council (2021-Present)
  • American Bar Endowment, Director (2009-2014, 2021-present)
  • ALI Litigation Advisory Panel (2008-Present)
  • National Association of Women Lawyers
    • Committee for the Evaluation of Supreme Court Nominees, Co-Chair (2005-2014)
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education, Fellow
  • American Law Institute, Member

Community Involvement

  • 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)

Representative Presentations and Publications

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