Jeff Leonard Honored with 2026 Law College Association Award

The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law is proud to recognize Jeff Leonard (’74) as the 2026 recipient of the Law College Association (LCA) Award for his longstanding leadership, mentorship and significant service to the legal community and the College of Law.  

“It is gratifying and very much appreciated to receive this recognition by the LCA,” said Leonard of receiving this year’s award.  

Leonard was recognized during a special event co-sponsored by Sacks Tierney, where he serves as a shareholder. Leonard is an accomplished and experienced civil trial lawyer and litigator in state and federal courts. His trial experience includes a wide variety of business and commercial cases involving banking, contract, business fraud, securities, real estate and public liability defense. In recent years, he has led the Navajo Nation’s litigation team at Sacks Tierney in the Arizona General Stream Adjudication for the Little Colorado River System and Source, one of the largest Indian water rights cases in the country.  

“Over the course of his career, he has earned respect not only for the quality of his work, but for the way he carries himself within the profession. He is a trusted voice, a steady presence, and a leader whose influence comes from judgment, consistency and a genuine commitment to the legal community,” said Interim Dean Jason Kreag during the award ceremony. 

Leonard is widely respected as a mentor, regularly training lawyers at Sacks Tierney, including many Arizona Law alumni.  

“My experience at Arizona Law meant everything to my future development as a lawyer. It afforded me an opportunity for a first-class legal education with a faculty of accomplished scholars and teachers,” says Leonard about how Arizona Law helped shape his career. 

He advises current students and recent grads to use their experience at the College of Law to learn, grow and find a path that allows them challenges and satisfaction, so they pursue their careers with enthusiasm, and calls on fellow alumni to play an active role in supporting law students.  

“The years that have passed since my experience at Arizona Law have also made me realize and understand that the financial resources needed to seek that first-class legal education at Arizona Law are far greater today than they were fifty-some-odd years ago, and that those of us whose law school experience is in the rear view mirror have a responsibility to assist those who look forward to their legal education and career.” 

Leonard has remained deeply engaged with Arizona Law throughout his career. He has served for many years on the College of Law’s Board of Visitors, organized and supervised the Sacks Tierney Scholarship, established in memory of Marvin Cohen, and is a longtime member and supporter of the McCormick Society.  

“Jeff understands that a strong legal community doesn’t happen by accident. It depends on people who are willing to invest in it—and who care deeply about the institutions that help shape the profession,” said Kreag. “As a graduate of the College of Law, Jeff has carried that sense of responsibility with him throughout his career.” 

Leonard earned his law degree from the University of Arizona in 1974, where he served on the Arizona Law Review editorial board and was elected to the Order of the Coif. After law school he served as Law Clerk to the Honorable William P. Copple of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.