Set the Pace for Quality of Life
Learn more about Julie, and her Priorities
Full Bio
I have called Paradise Valley home for nearly twenty years and have served on town council since 2016.
I am a fourth-generation Arizonan, and my ancestors came to Arizona in covered wagons in the late 1800’s. My family still has a cattle ranch in Navajo County. I am a life-long Arizona resident and attained a B.S in Business Administration, magna cum laude, and J.D., cum laude at ASU. My Arizona roots and connections are strong.
I am a 30-year employment, construction and OSHA lawyer who is passionate about working with my clients to solve problems and help them succeed in their businesses. In 2008 I was recognized by Arizona Business Magazine as one of the 10 most influential attorneys in Arizona. I am the cofounder of PSGM Law.
I have a strong passion for preserving the quality of life in our Town. I have been fortunate to work with the Paradise Valley Mountain Preserve Trust (PVMPT) to help reinvigorate and rebrand the Trust, develop a recognition event for residents who have donated over 233 acres, fostered new donations, and facilitated publication of a conservation children’s book called “The Story of Camelback Mountain,” all proceeds benefit the Trust.
I was elected to Town Council in 2016. I successfully ran at the urging of neighbors and other residents who lived on the mountains or who enjoyed and respected our mountain terrain. These residents shared concerns about protecting mountain views and ambience, addressing drainage and runoff issues, desiring to preserve the unique quality of life in Paradise Valley and asked me to lead in the efforts to accomplish these goals.
I led grassroots efforts in our PV community to stop a 64-foot high structure from being built high on Camelback Mountain. It would have scarred and forever changed the views of Camelback Mountain. As a community, we succeeded in stopping the project even though initially the Town staff was recommending it. Eventually, two of our amazing residents, purchased the property to preserve it as open space in its natural environment.
I will continue to approach my service on the Town Council with the commitment, energy and passion that I have devoted to other endeavors during my career.
Personal Accomplishments
1. Since 2016, service on the PV Town Council and served as Vice Mayor in 2020
2. Chaired the PV Advisory Committee on Public Safety (ACOPS) to support education outreach to resident and support our concierge, professional and committed Police Department
3. Reinvigorated the Paradise Valley Mountain Preservation Trust to protect the mountains that make PV unique
4. 30 years as a successful employment, OSHA, and litigation attorney representing companies, the State of Arizona and local governments
5. Recognition by Arizona Business Magazine as one of Arizona’s 10 most influential lawyers and Judge Pro Tem, Arizona Court of Appeals
6. Served on the Arizona Constitution Commemoration Committee, appointed by State Legislature
7. Serving as pro bono legal counsel to the Phoenix Symphony for more than 25 years
8. Receiving the Rio Salado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Community Vision Award for contributions to the built environment
9. Former Chair and Member of the Mesa Downtown Redevelopment Commission, Redevelopment Advisory Board and Downtown Vision Committee for 10+ years, serving under 5 great mayors, handling planning, zoning and board of adjustment responsibilities, nonconforming uses, variances, design, architecture, public infrastructure and working cooperatively with Council regarding funding sources, allocations and policy action items
10. Served on Mesa’s General Plan Update Committee and named Mesa’s Outstanding Young Woman of the Year
11. Cofounder of East Valley Economic Forum, the Southwest Shakespeare Company, the Senators Arts Awards and Dinner for East Valley Cultural Alliance
12. Cofounder and Moderator of Three Soroptimist-Rotary Televised Council Candidate Debates
13. Republican Party Involvement: Precinct Committeeman, Secretary for the Mesa Republican Women’s Club, Director of the East Valley Republican Forum and Delegate to several Arizona Town Halls
14. Vice President of the Soroptimist International, Economic Development of the East Valley Partnership
15. Graduate of Mesa Leadership and served as Director of Mesa Leadership Steering Committee and Alumni Board
16. Recipient of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit of Unity Award
17. Served as Cochair, Rio Salado Crossing ($1.8 billion convention center/Cardinals stadium/commercial/ residential proposal)
18. Desert Landscape School Certification, Desert Botanical Garden
19. Member of Rotary International Group Study Exchange Team
20. Interview and quoted by numerous media and professional publications, including: Wall Street Journal, Business Week, The New York Times, CNN, NPR, Fox News, Associated Press, Forbes, American Bar Association Journal, USA Today, HR Magazine, LA Times, Arizona Republic, Paradise Valley Independent, East Valley Tribute, Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Citizen and various Arizona television stations.
21. In my career, active in many other civic and professional organizations including:
o Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
o National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB;
o Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA);
o American Subcontractors Association of Arizona (ASA);
o Arizona Landscape Contractors Association (ALCA);
o Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA);
o The Phoenix Symphony;
o Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America.