Kimberly (Kim) Lipko is a guardian of freedom. She joined the Drug and Racketeering Enforcement Section (DRG) in October 2021 and quickly dove into the work, looking for areas of improvement and focusing her time and efforts on protecting the identities of confidential informants and ensuring that officer personnel files were disclosed if, and when, appropriate. Kim has designed new processes and procedures, created new forms and templates, and used her exceptional organizational skills to get discovery out in a timely and efficient manner. Her ethical approach to examining evidence has ensured that the rights of the accused are always protected.

Alisha Nakayama is an experienced and tenacious legal assistant (paralegal) with the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office. Alisha was instrumental in a Special Action brief in a child sex crimes case where the assigned prosecutor died before the opening brief was completed. Alisha knew how important this case was to the prosecutor and the community and knew a favorable appellate ruling would help to prevent the unjust and improper dismissal of criminal cases around the State. Largely due to Alisha’s efforts, the appellate court ultimately issued a published opinion in favor of the State. Although Alisha’s name does not appear on the opinion, she was vital in obtaining this victory, and the consequences of her work will endure for generations in courtrooms across Arizona.