APAAC Council

Kris Mayes is one of Arizona’s strongest consumer advocates and an attorney who has distinguished herself as a fighter for the people in a lifetime of public service. Born and raised on a tree farm in Prescott, Kris Mayes attended Arizona public schools with her brother and sister. Her mom was a teacher and her dad worked as a pharmacist. Kris Mayes studied political science and journalism at Arizona State University and went to work as a reporter. She later earned a Masters of Public Administration from Columbia University and her law degree from ASU. Mayes served in a senior role with the Napolitano Administration in the early 2000’s before being appointed to the Arizona Corporation Commission. She went on to win two statewide elections and served as a Commissioner from 2003-2010 and was the Commission Chair from 2009-2010. Mayes was admitted to the Arizona State Bar on January 10, 2005. During Mayes’ time on the Arizona Corporation Commission, her leadership helped create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, saved Arizona consumers billions of dollars, and required utilities to produce more clean and efficient energy — including solar and wind. She also worked to preserve Arizona’s water resources. Prior to her election as Attorney General, Mayes worked as a professor at ASU’s School of Global Sustainability and taught a course on energy law for the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU. She is honored to serve as Arizona’s 27th Attorney General, becoming the first mom and second woman ever to be elected to the office. She looks forward to continuing her work on behalf of Arizonans as the top law enforcement official and consumer guardian in the state. A Lawyer for the People.

Dave Byers was appointed Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in 1992. He has been with the Supreme Court since 1978 holding a variety of positions including Director of the State Foster Care Review Board System, Director of the Program Services Division, Director of Adult and Juvenile Probation, and Deputy Director of the Supreme Court. As Director, Mr. Byers assists in the oversight and administration of a court system that employs 10,000 people and operates in more than 200 locations, processes more than 2 million cases per year; supervises 80,000 adult felons on probation; and has a combined budget from all courts in excess of $775 million dollars. The Supreme Court also oversees the State Bar of Arizona and the discipline process for the State’s over 19,000 active attorneys. Mr. Byers received his B.A. degree in Iowa and his M.A. degree from Arizona State University. He has served as the President of the National Association of Foster Care Reviewers, as Founder of the Arizona Friends of Foster Care Foundation, and as the Chairman of the Board of the State’s Social Services Indemnity Pool. Mr. Byers served as president of the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) and as Vice President of the National Center for State Courts. He serves on the Department of Justice – Global Advisory Commission, Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, the Board of Directors of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorney’s Advisory Council, and the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Arizona. Mr. Byers has served on the board and as chairman of the ASRS retirement system and is on the board of the International Association of Court Administrators (IACA). 

Elizabeth Herbert graduated from Arizona State University College of Law in 2003 and started her legal career with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as a Deputy County Attorney the same year. While there, Ms. Herbert spent time in the Pretrial, Juvenile, Family Violence and Sex Crimes Bureaus. In 2007, she became an Assistant City Prosecutor for the Chandler Prosecutor’s Office. Seven years later, Ms. Herbert was chosen to be the Chandler City Prosecutor in 2014. Before becoming a prosecutor, Ms. Herbert was a teacher for Mesa Public Schools. She enjoys every opportunity to teach training classes and to speak to community groups.

Lori Zucco began her legal career in Tucson after graduating from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1996. After a brief stint in private practice criminal defense, she served as a City of Tucson Deputy Public Defender for seven years, handling a voluminous DUI caseload including dozens of jury trials. In 2004 Ms. Zucco answered an online advertisement for a “Prosecutor in Paradise” and moved to the Republic of Palau in Micronesia, where she served as an Assistant Attorney General/Felony Criminal Prosecutor for four years. During that time, she participated in many international law conferences throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands on topics such as anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering. She also attended an Australian Director of Public Prosecution conference in Adelaide, Australia, comparable to our APAAC Summer Conference. After re-patriating to the United States, Ms. Zucco moved to Bisbee in 2009 and joined the Cochise County Attorney’s Office as a Deputy County Attorney in the felony General Crimes Unit. In 2018 she was promoted to Chief Criminal Deputy, and in 2024 she was elected Cochise County Attorney. During her career with the Cochise County Attorney’s Office, she has handled some of the most serious, high-profile cases and has been nominated for APAAC’s Felony Prosecutor of the Year Small Jurisdiction Award four times. Ms. Zucco serves on the Executive Board of the Cochise County Bar Association as the Immediate Past President and is the Co-Chair of the 2025 Arizona State Bar Convention.

Ammon Barker has dedicated his career to pursuing and promoting justice on behalf of the people of Arizona. Mr. Barker began his career as a Deputy County Attorney at the Coconino County Attorney’s Office (CCAO) in 2010. In the succeeding 11 years, he prosecuted cases involving murder, domestic violence, and sexual offenders. In 2014, he was recognized as the Arizona Felony Prosecutor of the Year by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council. In 2016, Mr. Barker served as a Senior Deputy Attorney at the CCAO where he supervised felony attorneys and prosecuted the most complex cases in the county. In November 2021, he was appointed Chief Deputy County Attorney and was responsible for overseeing all operations of the office. In October 2024, Mr. Barker began his service as the Coconino County Attorney where he leads an office of approximately 55 dedicated attorneys and staff. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University and his Juris Doctor from the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law (ASU).

Bradley Beauchamp is the Gila County Attorney. The Gila County Superior Court and offices are located in both Globe, Arizona, and Payson, Arizona. County Attorney Beauchamp and his staff prosecute the felony cases for Gila County's jurisdiction.

Jeff Wolfe was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from Arizona State University College of Law in 2013 and started his legal career with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as a Deputy County Attorney. While there, he spent time in the Pretrial and Southwest Trial Bureaus. In 2016, Mr. Wolfe became an Assistant Town Prosecutor for the Town of Gilbert Prosecutor’s Office, serving in various capacities, including leading the Domestic Violence and Community-Based Prosecution programs. In 2023, he was chosen to be the Gilbert Town Prosecutor.

Ryan Glover is the City Prosecutor for the City of Glendale. Mr. Glover began his prosecution career with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office where he served nearly two years before moving to the City of Surprise Prosecutor’s Office, serving over ten years in that office. He became the Glendale City Prosecutor in 2015, and his office is responsible for handling misdemeanor offenses occurring within the jurisdiction of Glendale.

L. Scott Bennett was elected as the Graham County Attorney in November of 2020. An experienced prosecutor, he spent several years with the offices of both the Maricopa County Attorney and the Pinal County Attorney before accepting the position of Chief Deputy at the Graham County Attorney’s office in March of 2011. Spending nearly a decade as the Chief Deputy, Mr. Bennett was selected as the APAAC Arizona Prosecutor of the Year in 2017. Well versed in the issues facing Graham County and the prosecutor’s office, and with a commitment to improving relationships, Mr. Bennett was the natural choice for the voters of Graham County upon the retirement of his predecessor. Mr. Bennett graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2002.

Gary Griffith was appointed to the office of Greenlee County Attorney in July of 2023. Prior to that, he worked as committee staff for the U.S. House of Representatives, later moving to Safford, Arizona, where he opened a private law practice. Mr. Griffith subsequently became judge for the Safford Justice Court -- an office he held for 20 years. He then accepted a position as the Chief Deputy County Attorney for Greenlee County. Mr. Griffith is a fifth generation Arizonan. He was raised in Kearny, Arizona, where he graduated from Ray High School. Mr. Griffith then went on to study economics and history at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Next, Mr. Griffith went to Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, where he received his Juris Doctor. 

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell is a career prosecutor with an unwavering commitment to finding justice for those whose safety and well-being has been violated. She leads one of the largest prosecutorial agencies in the country and, since she took over in 2022, has worked relentlessly to restore the trust of fellow law enforcement agencies and the community at large. During her more than thirty years with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, she prosecuted the worst-of-the-worst as a child and sex crimes prosecutor, ran the Prosecution Integrity Unit overseeing ethical issues, and was appointed County Attorney in April of 2022. Voters chose her for the permanent job later that same year. Throughout her career, Ms. Mitchell has advocated for strengthening state laws involving crimes against children and sexual assault and has pushed for changes in the courtroom that will help comfort victims testifying in abuse cases. She regularly teaches on a variety of criminal justice topics and is a nationally recognized speaker on sex assault and child abuse prosecution. As Maricopa County’s chief law enforcement officer, Ms. Mitchell is a strong advocate for public safety, addressing emerging challenges like Organized Retail Crime, guns in the hands of kids, and the fentanyl crisis. She has worked constantly to uphold the law and to prosecute those who jeopardize the safety and security of the people of Maricopa County. Ms. Mitchell is an Arizona native who received her law degree from Arizona State University and undergraduate degree from Grand Canyon University.

Paul Hawkins is the Mesa City Prosecutor. He was born and raised in the city of Mesa and is deeply proud of his Mesa roots. After obtaining his engineering degree, Mr. Hawkins graduated from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in 2006 (although he roots heavily for ASU). He began his prosecution career as a Deputy County Attorney with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office that same year. Mr. Hawkins joined the Mesa City Prosecutor’s Office in 2007, serving in various capacities within the office, until he became the Mesa City Prosecutor in 2021.

Matt Smith was recommended by former Mohave County Attorney Bill Ekstrom in December of 2003 and unanimously selected by the Mohave County Board of Supervisors to fill out Mr. Ekstrom’s unexpired term. He was elected as Mohave County Attorney in November of 2004 and was re-elected in November of 2008 for a second term. Mr. Smith is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a J.D. in 1985 and Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Political Science in 1982. He moved to Kingman, Arizona, in 1987. Mr. Smith began his legal career as a prosecutor with the Mohave County Attorney’s Office over 20 years ago and served the community as head of the felony trial division for many years. As County Attorney, he supervises an office of both prosecutors and civil deputies. Mr. Smith continues to do trial work and specializes in handling death penalty and child molestation cases.

Brad Carlyon is a veteran prosecutor who has served as the Navajo County Attorney since 2009. Throughout his more than 30-year career, Mr. Carlyon has worked to secure justice for victims and forged collaborations and programs to improve the criminal justice system. A third-generation Arizonan, Mr. Carlyon earned his law degree from University of Arizona College of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude and was managing editor of the Arizona Law Review. He has worked in private and public law, including civil, criminal, juvenile, transactional and other divisions. Mr. Carlyon has previously served as Deputy County Attorney and Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore in Navajo County, and Chief Deputy County Attorney for the Apache County Attorney’s Office. Mr. Carlyon spearheaded the establishment of the Navajo County Family Advocacy Center, which assists victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. In 2011, he created the annual Navajo County Attorney’s Office Victims’ Rights Symposium. Mr. Carlyon has helped establish or enhance several diversion and deflection programs for adults and juveniles, and he is committed to helping Navajo County address the complex issues surrounding mental health, substance use issues and crime. In 2023, the Arizona State Bar Association awarded Mr. Carlyon the Michael C. Cudahy Criminal Justice Award. WeTip named Mr. Carlyon the National County Attorney of the Year for 2011 and 2016. He earned the Leader of the Year for Public Safety from Arizona Capitol Times in 2012 and 2016, and was named Attorney of the Year, in 2016 by the Arizona Narcotics Officers Association. Mr. Carlyon serves on the National Board of Directors for the National Association of Counties, as well as the organization’s Justice and Public Safety Committee. In 2023, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs appointed Mr. Carlyon to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. He is a member of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorney’s Advisory Council and is a past member of APAAC’s Executive Committee and Personnel Committee. Mr. Carlyon is a member of the Arizona Association of Counties and serves on the Arizona State Council on the Interstate Compact for the Supervision of Adult Offenders, among other memberships and associations.

Laura Conover has a unique perspective on Southern Arizona’s criminal justice system. She was elected as the Pima County Attorney in 2020. As the third woman to hold the Office, second defense attorney, and first victims’ rights attorney, she has assembled a diverse senior leadership team and plans to revolutionize operations. Reform, transparency, and accountability are her core objectives. Ms. Conover endeavors to reform cash bail, end all use of capital punishment, divert cases of substance use and mental illness to treatment, and protect people with vulnerable immigration statuses. She is fortifying units in Conviction & Sentencing Integrity and Fraud & Consumer Protection to safeguard against unethical and exploitative behaviors. She is building the first adult restorative justice program in the state. Ms. Conover was raised in Tucson, earned her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Arizona, and is proud to serve the community she calls home.

Brad Miller is a seasoned attorney and military veteran, who brings a wealth of experience in law and public service to his role as the chief prosecutor for Pinal County, Arizona. County Attorney Miller’s legal career spans over 17 years, during which he has served in various capacities across Arizona. He began his professional journey in 2007 as a Tax Associate Attorney at Helm, Livesay, Worthington, Ltd., focusing on property tax-related matters in Maricopa County. From 2008 to 2017, he worked as a prosecutor in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and from 2014-2017 within the Sex Crimes Bureau. During his tenure, he prosecuted high-profile cases involving sexual crimes, securing numerous jury verdicts and earning the Justice Achievement Award for achieving seven consecutive lifetime convictions. His work in this role was particularly focused on protecting vulnerable populations, including children, a mission that has remained a cornerstone of his career. In addition to his civilian legal career, Pinal County Attorney Miller has a distinguished record of military service. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, where he has served as a Judge Advocate. He currently drills out of 4th Marine Division based in New Orleans, LA. He has received numerous awards including two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, and an Armed Forces Service Medal. His military background has instilled a strong sense of discipline and leadership, which he credits for shaping his approach to law and governance. Pinal County Attorney Miller is married to his college sweetheart and raises his children within a faith-based community, reflecting his deep ties to Christian values and local traditions. His personal experiences, including growing up around foster homes and witnessing the impacts of abuse, have fueled his lifelong commitment to justice. Known for his dedication and straightforward approach, Miller has earned respect as both a prosecutor and a public servant, positioning him as a prominent figure in Pinal County’s legal and political landscape.

George E. Silva is the Santa Cruz County Attorney and was elected to his post on November of 2004. As the County Attorney, Mr. Silva prosecutes all felony and juvenile offenses which occur in the County and all misdemeanor offenses which occur in the unincorporated areas of the County. Moreover, he provides legal advice to the County Board of Supervisors and all the County Departments. In addition, he represents school districts and fire districts within the county. As the County Attorney, Mr. Silva is an advocate for our youth and is very active in his community with his “You have the Power” campaign. This campaign empowers our youth and teaches them that only they have the power to make good, healthy choices in life. Good and healthy choices will allow our youth to realize their dreams, goals, and full potential. Prior to his election to the County Attorney’s Office, Mr. Silva worked as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Nogales. He also worked in the Santa Cruz County Attorney’s Office for approximately five years as a Deputy County Attorney. As a Deputy County Attorney, he was assigned to the Juvenile Prosecution Division, the Misdemeanor Prosecution Division, and the Drug Enforcement Prosecution Division assigned to the Santa Cruz County Metro Task Force (Narcotics). As a Drug Prosecutor, he worked on Operation Apache. Operation Apache consisted of infiltrating the Nogales High School with an undercover police officer pretending to be a student. The undercover officer was able to identify key drug dealers in the school which resulted in successful prosecutions. Mr. Silva also worked as a Law Clerk for the City of Tucson Public Defenders Office. Aside from his work experience, Mr. Silva also enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and served his country for eight years as a Legal Specialist. He was Honorably Discharged in 1999. Mr. Silva is a proud graduate of Nogales High School. Upon his graduation from Nogales High School in 1989, he attended Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Mr. Silva obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from ASU in May 1994. He then enrolled in the University of Arizona College of law and obtained his Juris Doctor in Law in May 1997. Although Mr. Silva attended both ASU and UA, he considers himself a proud Sun Devil.

Luis Santaella 
Scottsdale City Attorney

Luis Santaella is the City Attorney for the City of Scottsdale. Over the past 24 years, he has served in a variety of roles within the Scottsdale City Attorney’s Office, beginning his career as an Assistant City Prosecutor. He has held key leadership positions, including Deputy City Attorney, where he oversaw the Prosecution and Victim Services Divisions, managed a multimillion-dollar budget, and provided legal counsel to departments such as Police, Emergency Management, Intergovernmental Relations, and Code Enforcement. His legislative advocacy has contributed to the passage of multiple state laws enhancing DUI enforcement and public safety. Mr. Santaella is a past recipient of the State Bar of Arizona’s Distinguished Public Lawyer Award and is the only City of Scottsdale employee to have received both the City’s Drinkwater and Donaldson Awards. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona College of Law and previously served as a Deputy City Attorney and City Prosecutor for the City of Nogales. In addition to his public service, he is an adjunct professor of Justice Studies at Northern Arizona University. Mr. Santaella has been appointed to several current and past statewide committees, including the Arizona Supreme Court DUI Case Processing Workgroup and the Legislative Study Committee on Law Enforcement Body Cameras. He is also a past president of the Arizona City Attorneys Association and past chair of the Public Lawyers Section of the Arizona State Bar.

Alan L. Merritt is the Tucson City Prosecutor. He resides in Tucson since moving from Illinois in 1981. Mr. Merritt earned his undergraduate degree in creative writing and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona. He is an avid University of Arizona basketball and football fan and a lifelong motorcyclist. Mr. Merritt has been with the Tucson City Attorney's Office Criminal Division for twenty-five years.

Dennis McGrane is a career prosecutor, lifelong conservative Republican, husband, father, and military officer. Mr. McGrane has been a prosecutor since 1995, serving as the Yavapai County Attorney since 2023. Before that, he served as the Chief Deputy Yavapai County Attorney for 22 years in addition to over 5 years as a Deputy County Attorney. In 2023, Mr. McGrane received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council (APAAC) for his exemplary career in public service. Mr. McGrane began service in the Arizona Army National Guard in 2008. He is a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer. He has received many awards for his service and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2021. Mr. McGrane currently serves as the prosecution representative to the Yavapai County Superior Court Veterans Court and was instrumental in its formation and development. In his time as County Attorney, he helped form the Veterans Court in Justice Court. Mr. McGrane has been married to Karen, his high school sweetheart, since 1989, and they have two grown, married daughters. In addition to Mr. McGrane’s family life and careers as a prosecutor and military officer, He is actively involved in various organizations and activities, such as teaching at the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy (NARTA) and being a member of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council and the National District Attorney’s Association. He has a rich history of community service and received the 2017 Jack Ogg Community Service Award from the Yavapai County Bar Association in recognition of his efforts. Mr. McGrane holds a J.D. from Indiana University and has been a member of the Arizona Bar since October 1993, also gaining admission to the United States Supreme Court in 2010. He has several published opinions from the Arizona Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. In 2017, Mr. McGrane received the APAAC Appellate Prosecutor of the Year Award.

Karolyn Kaczorowski has been a prosecutor with the Yuma County Attorney’s Office since 2004. Very early in her career, she found her greatest joy is to speak for the victims who cannot speak for themselves. Karolyn chose to specialize in prosecuting sexual crimes against children. In 2007, she began prosecuting homicide cases and later became the supervisor of the Drug, Gang and Violent Crimes Unit. After first-chairing two death penalty cases, Karolyn was assigned to be the supervisor of the Major Crimes Unit which prosecutes all homicides, adult sexual assaults, and dangerous crimes against children that occur in Yuma County. Karolyn was elected as the Yuma County Attorney in 2024, taking office in January 2025. In that position, she has focused on the well-being of the people serving in the Yuma County Attorney’s Office, and looks forward to strengthening community partnerships.

Stacy Leeds is the Willard H. Pedrick Dean, Regents Professor and Foundation Professor of Law and Leadership at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. A leading scholar of Indigenous law and policy, she has extensive experience in law, higher education, economic development, and conflict resolution. Leeds holds law degrees from the University of Wisconsin (LL.M.) and the University of Tulsa (J.D.), an M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee, and a B.A. in history from Washington University in St. Louis. As the first Indigenous woman to serve as a law school dean, Leeds led the University of Arkansas School of Law (2011–2018) and later became the university’s inaugural Vice Chancellor for Economic Development (2017–2020). She has held faculty and leadership roles at the University of Kansas, the University of North Dakota, and the University of Wisconsin. She is an elected member of the American Law Institute and the American Philosophical Society. She is a past recipient of the ABA’s Spirit of Excellence Award and the Cherokee National Statesmanship Award. Leeds is a former Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justice. She has served as a trial and appellate court judge in many jurisdictions and as a commercial arbitrator.