Tucson Electric Power

Ryan received his Juris Doctorate from McGill University in Canada. After graduation, Ryan worked with the Law Office of Cheryl Copperstone where he focused on bankruptcy matters. Ryan also lent his skills to Mayor Rothschild service the City of Tucson as a Policy Advisory. Currently, Ryan works with Tucson Electric Power. Ryan brings a history of volunteerism and a commitment to access to justice to the board.

Arizona Supreme Court

Justice Beene graduated with a BA from the University of California at Santa Barbara and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arizona. Justice Beene has served at the Pinal County Attorney's Office, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, and worked as Chief Counsel at the Residential Utility Consumer’s Office. Justice Beene was also an Assistant Attorney General in the Capital Litigation Section. In 2019, Governor Doug Ducey appointed Justice Beene to the Arizona Supreme Court.

Hollingsworth Kelly

Anna is an experienced civil trial lawyer who started volunteering her time to improve access to justice in 2004. Anna has provided pro bono assistance with minor guardianship, child support, and landlord-tenant matters. She has been recognized locally and statewide for her pro bono work. As a parent, Anna recognizes the need for children to have safe, stable and loving environments, as well as the need for parents and guardianship to have access to the justice system with confidence and accurate information.

Secretary

University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

Kristy is a 2015 graduate of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. After graduation, she worked as a Fellow for the University of Arizona Community Law Group assisting low-income and domestic violence victims with their immigration and family law needs. From 2017-2021, she was the owner of Family Law Legal Consulting and provided unbundled services to people who were self-represented in family law matters. Kristy is currently the Legal Paraprofessional Program Coordinator at the James E. Rogers College of Law.

CPA Tucson

Julianne began her accounting career in 1983 with KPMG Peat Marwick in Portland, Oregon. In 1985 she transferred to the KPMG Tucson office and shortly after received her CPA certificate in Arizona. After close to ten years with KPMG, Julianne moved on in 1993 to form her own practice in Tucson. Julianne is a member of the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Awerkamp, Bonilla & Giles, PLC

Shannon is a partner with Awerkamp, Bonilla & Giles, PLC practicing almost exclusively in employment law and litigation. Shannon’s practice is heavily focused on the representation of employees. She is listed in Best Lawyers in America for employment law and litigation, and she is a member of the Executive Council of the Employment and Labor Law Section of the State Bar of Arizona. Shannon is a committed Step Up to Justice volunteer.

Liberty & Associates, P.C.

Pam is a graduate of the University of California Hastings College of Law. Before retiring in 2021, Pam was a family law litigator and a mediator. Pam is a former legal aid attorney and a veteran pro bono attorney. She has volunteered to assist low-income clients for over twenty years. Pam received the Arizona Bar Foundation’s William E. Morris Award for her contributions to making legal service available to the less fortunate.

Step Up to Justice Board President
Cox Communications

Lisa is Vice President & Market Leader for Cox Communications Southwest Region. Lisa serves on numerous community boards, including Sun Corridor the Southern Arizona Leadership council, the Tucson Airport Authority, and the Reid Park Zoo. In 2017, Lisa was named a board member of Unisource Energy. Lisa grew up in Tucson and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona. She also received an MBA with academic honors from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management.

Matt serves as the Chief of Staff at UNS Energy & Tucson Election Power, providing direct support to President and CEO Susan Gray. Matt joined UNS in 2019 as a corporate counsel specializing in labor and employment law before moving into his current role in November 2020. Prior to joining UNS, Matt practiced employment law at Snell & Wilmer and served in a research compliance role at the University of Arizona. He has a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Trinity College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona. A passionate supporter of local music, Matt has hosted the Locals Only program on community radio station KXCI since 2011 and previously served on the Board of Directors for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.

A retired Pima County Superior Court Commissioner, Karen is an experienced trial lawyer and a former shareholder in the law firm of DeConcini McDonald Yetwin & Lacy. Karen attended the University of Arizona for a B.S. in Mathematics, a Masters of Education in Counseling and Guidance, and a Juris Doctorate with Distinction. She has been a fierce advocate for access to justice issues for over twenty years and has received numerous awards honoring her commitment to the delivery of pro bono legal services.

Immediate Past Co-President

Alyce has been an attorney since 1982 and has worked in both private and public practice. In 2012 Alyce was appointed as a Commissioner/Judge Pro Tem of the Pima County Superior Court where she served on the family, juvenile and probate/mental health benches until her retirement in January 2022. Alyce has worked throughout her career to advance equal access to justice and was awarded the William E. Morris Pro Bono Service Award by the Arizona Bar Foundation, and the Juan Perez-Medrano Excellence in Public Service Award by the Pima County Bar Foundation. Alyce is a founding member of the Step Up to Justice Board.

Raytheon Technologies

Deb is the Director of Requirements and Development for Raytheon Technologies. She has 25 years of strategic and operational experience in planning, facilitating, managing, and organizational effectiveness. Deb brings non-profit experience and a history of demonstrated community engagement to Step Up to Justice, serving most recently as a board executive and board member of Youth On Their Own.

Step Up to Justice Board Treasurer
Law Office of Denice R. Shepherd

Denice Shepherd has been practicing in the areas of personal injury, general civil litigation, probates, guardianships, conservatorships, and elder law for more than 30 years. In 2003, 2010 and 2013, Denice was named among Arizona’s Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys. In 2011 Denice received the Arizona Supreme Court Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award, and in 2012 she was recognized by the State Bar with the Elenor ter Horst Probate Award.

Executive Director/Attorney

Michele grew up in Tucson and attended the University of Arizona where she received a B.A. in Sociology and Political Science. She received her J.D. from the University of Dayton. Michele has thirty years of experience coordinating and expanding the reach and delivery of pro bono legal services. She is invested in providing quality legal services for low-income individuals and families in her community and has dedicated her professional life to the development of innovative delivery models. 

Associate Director/Attorney

Melissa has been deeply involved in the delivery of free civil legal services to low-income clients and their families since 2010. She has a B.A. in Sociology from Binghamton University, an M.A. in Ethics, Peace & Global Affairs from American University, and a J.D. from the University of Arizona.

As the Associate Director of Step Up to Justice, Melissa works with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors to develop and implement the vision and direction for SU2J.

HOME Fellow

Sierra is the HOME (Housing Outreach Mentoring and Education) Fellow at Step Up to Justice. Sierra grew up on the central coast of California and received a B.A. in Humanities and Communication from California State University, Monterey Bay. She received her J.D. from the University of Arizona. During law school, Sierra was the Senior Note Editor for the Arizona Law Review, the Treasurer for the Environmental Law Society, and a member on the University of Arizona's National Environmental Moot Court Team. She has previously worked in housing law, elder law, workers’ rights law, indigenous peoples’ law, and environmental law. Sierra looks forward to promoting access to justice for low-income community members through her work as the HOME Fellow at Step Up to Justice.

FLOAT Fellow

Sonan is the FLOAT (Family Law Outreach and Technology) Fellow at Step Up to Justice. Sonan was born and raised in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and moved to Tucson, Arizona in 2021 to pursue a Juris Doctorate at the University of Arizona. As a law student, he interned at Southern Arizona Legal Aid, assisting the attorneys in the expungement unit with petitions and legal research. He has since been awarded his Juris Doctorate in 2023 and is excited to serve the wider Tucson community through the FLOAT Fellowship over the coming year.

Director of Operations

Kate is a dedicated Tucson native, committed to narrowing the gap in accessible legal services within her community. Following her military service, Kate graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Law from the University of Arizona. Kate's active involvement within the community and desire to go to law school is fueled by her life-long commitment to making Tucson a happier and healthier place for everyone.

Program Coordinator

Ashley is the Program Coordinator at Step Up to Justice. She conducts intake interviews, assists with the coordination of legal clinics, works with staff to build SU2J's upstream education curricula, and provides general support for SU2J's staff and fellows. Ashley is a student at the University of Arizona and is working to complete her B.A.s in Spanish and Law. As an undergrad, Ashley has participated in mock trial since her freshman year. She plans to attend law school after graduation.

Program Coordinator

Hannah graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in Law and a BA in Psychology with a Spanish minor. During undergrad, Hannah was involved as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair for the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority as well as interning at the Arizona Secretary of State and at a criminal defense firm. Hannah actively volunteers with StandUp for Kids through street outreach for the homeless youth population in Tucson. She is excited to help make legal resources more accessible by working at Step Up to Justice.

Intake Specialist

Meena is the Intake Specialist at Step Up to Justice where she conducts initial applicant interviews and provides general support for SU2J's staff and fellows. Meena is a student at the University of Arizona and is working to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. As an undergraduate student, Meena has served as President of the Mock Trial Team. She plans to attend law school after graduation.