Terry Goddard Presents Tucson Trio with Attorney of Year Awards

(Phoenix, Ariz. – May 7, 2010) Attorney General Terry Goddard today honored Tucson Assistant Attorneys General Rose Daly-Rooney of the Civil Rights/Litigation Division, Joe Parkhurst of the Criminal Division and Alison Rivchun of the Child and Family Protection Division with Attorney of the Year Awards at the Office’s annual Awards Day ceremony.

Daly-Rooney joined the Civil Rights/Litigation Division of the Attorney General’s Office in January 2006.  Daly-Rooney epitomizes the word "advocate" and works tirelessly for the advancement of civil rights.  Her efforts contribute greatly toward the Civil Rights Division's high reputation among local and national disability rights advocacy groups through her creativity, visionary ideas, and networking.  In the past year, she spearheaded an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, including a skillful oral argument, regarding a landmark disability rights case seeking to expand access for persons with hearing and sight disabilities in movie theaters.  Last week, the Ninth Circuit reversed the U.S. District Court’s dismissal of the case and ruled that movie theaters must install equipment to display captions and audio descriptions for people with sensory disabilities. This victory makes it clear that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is about more than just physical access to a public accommodation.

Parkhurst has been with the Attorney General’s Office since 1997 as an appellate attorney and currently serves at Unit Chief of the Criminal Division in Tucson.  His role as a Unit Chief is unique in that he acts as the primary Section representative for issues arising in southern Arizona.  One of his most notable successes came in a U.S. Supreme Court case, Arizona v. Johnson, which resulted in a favorable ruling on an important Fourth Amendment search and seizure issue.  He is known for his highly professional demeanor working with colleagues and members of the criminal justice system and the public.

Rivchun joined the Child and Family Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office three years ago.  Judges have provided unsolicited praise for her legal representation and professionalism.  She has always shown a strong commitment to child welfare law, demonstrated recently when she handled a case involving three children whose immigration status needed to be resolved before they could be adopted.  Her outstanding legal skills are complemented by the dedication and passion she brings to the Office. 

Goddard presented Leticia Cran in the Child and Family Protection Division and Donna Shuman in the Criminal Division with Employee of the Year Awards.  He presented Linda Bohlke, Compliance Officer in the Civil Rights Division, with the Emerging Star Award.

“Our attorneys and staff have excelled in tough economic times,” Goddard said.  “They have improved efficiency, taken on extra responsibilities and sacrificed time with their families to make Arizona a safer place for those we serve.”