The Arizona Fellows convened in Tucson on November 28-29, 2025, for the annual Jenckes Trial Advocacy Competition and State Committee meeting. The Jenckes competition, founded by Arizona Fellows over 50 years ago and named for a deceased Fellow, brings together students from the state’s two law schools to compete in closing arguments before a Judicial Fellow and a jury of Arizona Fellows.
This year’s competition took place at the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law on Friday evening. President Day offered opening remarks explaining the significance of College fellowship and thanking the students for their participation. All four competitors delivered strong performances. The University of Arizona team of Lauren Ronaguera and Ella Spoor prevailed, marking the first time in recent years that the University of Arizona won the competition. The second-place team from Arizona State University consisted of Maya Morken and Adam Scarborough. The Arizona Fellows presented $2,000 to each member of the winning team and $1,000 to each member of the second-place team. Following the competition, approximately thirty Fellows attended a reception with the students, their families, and coaches. Fellow Michael O’Conner, who has organized the Jenckes program for over a decade, facilitated the competition proceedings.
The State Committee met Saturday morning for two hours with approximately thirty Fellows in attendance. State Chair Tom Burke led discussions on several topics. The Committee reported on its annual CLE program held each May, which generated approximately $15,000 in profit last year to fund the Jenckes competition and other initiatives. The group reviewed a newly designed advertisement in the state bar journal announcing new inductees, which utilizes the College’s color scheme. Fellows discussed establishing a formal presentation slot at the state judicial conference to address topics including the College’s Rule of Law initiatives, proposed federal rules concerning generative artificial intelligence, and judicial independence. The Committee expressed interest in organizing a casual weekend gathering for Fellows and their families. Extensive discussion addressed multiple fellowship candidates and qualification standards.
Arizona Fellow Burr Udall, age 96 and the Committee’s Treasurer for Life, participated in both the Friday evening events and the Saturday morning meeting, delivering the Treasurer’s report. Udall, a legendary figure in the Arizona trial bar, is the brother of former Congressmen Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, who later served as Secretary of the Interior. Their father served as Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court.