Laura E. “Lolly” Udall, Class of 1976

Lawyer, Mentor, Leader Volunteer

Laura E. Udall is a distinguished Arizona trial lawyer and a proud Badger. At Tucson High, Laura was a three-year letter winner in tennis, a National Honor Society member, and delegate to Arizona Girls State. She attended the University of California, Berkeley and law school at the University of Utah.

Formal education completed, Laura began the real work of lawyering and contributing to her Badger community. She clerked for Hon. Alfredo Marquez, U.S. District Court, before joining the Pima County Public Defender in 1989. Laura amassed dozens of jury trials, ranging from misdemeanor DUIs to violent felonies.

In 1992, Laura entered private practice. After 250 jury trials, Laura’s skills earned her admission as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. The Trial College is the nation’s preeminent organization of trial lawyers, dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, professionalism, and the administration of justice. Membership is limited to less than 1% of the lawyers in any state

Laura is “Learned Counsel” and “Lead Counsel” under federal and Arizona law respectively, enabling her to defend persons accused of capital crimes. Both designations carry the somber duty of representing those accused of the most serious crimes in our society. The designations are bestowed upon lawyers who meet stringent requirements of competence, experience, and ethics. The designations are reserved for the Bar’s most exceptional lawyers as they are not simply defending the accused, but are more importantly, defending the rights of all under the Constitution.

Laura tirelessly serves her community, mentoring and training lawyers. She is Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Arizona, teaching trial advocacy. Laura serves on the National Trial Competition Committee, instructing law students in moot court competitions throughout the country. Laura regularly volunteers with the State Bar of Arizona, conducting seminars on Trial Advocacy and Criminal Law. Never forgetting her days as a Badger, Laura volunteers with Tucson High booster clubs, particularly volleyball.

Self-effacing and quick-witted, Laura never takes herself too seriously. Laura’s irreverence and casual style should not be confused with her commitment to ethics, the law, and the Tucson community. She lawyers the cases we see in the news with quiet dignity. Laura does so with Badger pride.