Cochise County Legal Secretary Supervisor Lupita Mendoza Honored with

Source: Cochise County

In a display of appreciation for years of steadfast service and excellence, Lupita Mendoza, the longstanding Legal Secretary Supervisor at the Cochise County Attorney’s Office, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council. Honored at the APAAC's annual Legal Secretary Conference held in Phoenix, Mendoza has become an embodiment of unwavering commitment and adept adaptability in her more than twenty years of service, according to an announcement posted on Cochise County's official website.

Mendoza, who started fresh in her early twenties back in 2004, climbed the ranks in the County Attorney’s Office overseeing different units, including Victim/Witness and Juvenile. Under four County Attorneys, she emphasized transitioning from the ancient era of typewriters to the digital age of e-discovery and the cloud. Her nominators noted her steady hand in training new hires and lawyers alike, and through it all, she maintained a demeanor both compassionate and professional, never having an internal or external complaint laid against her work, which is, by any standard, impressive. The accolades don't stop with Mendoza, though; Bryanna Flores, Paralegal for the Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, received a nomination for Legal Secretary of the Year. Since starting at the office in 2021, she has managed the highest volume of caseloads and has been recognized not only for her work ethic but also for her humane approach, treating everyone with due respect, humility, and compassion.

Amid the festivities, Jillian Nunes, who rose from legal secretary to Victim Services Program Manager and has led the Victim/Witness Unit since 2017, was nominated earlier this month for Victim Advocate of the Year during APAAC's Victim Advocate Conference. County Attorney Lori Zucco praised Nunes' exceptional devotion and professionalism, stating, “Over the past year, Jillian has demonstrated unwavering commitment, compassion, and professionalism in advocating for victims—consistently going above and beyond to meet their needs, often while working with limited staff support,” as reported by the county's official website.