The Arizona Corporation Commission announced on Mar. 17 that its General Counsel, Thomas Van Flein, has been selected as one of five finalists for the 2026 Excellence in Law Awards – Community Impact. The award recognizes attorneys who show exceptional legal skill, leadership, and contributions to both the community and the legal profession.
Van Flein’s nomination is seen by the Commission as a reflection of his decades-long career in law, public service, and scholarship. Executive Director Doug Clark said, “Tom Van Flein has brought an extraordinary depth of legal experience and strategic insight to the Commission. His career spans federal and state government service, complex litigation, academic scholarship, and leadership in the legal profession. We are proud to see his work recognized.”
Commission Chairman Nick Myers also congratulated Van Flein on his recognition. “Congratulations to Mr. Van Flein on being named a finalist for Excellence in Law. This recognition reflects not only his legal acumen, but also his commitment to public advocacy, his depth of knowledge, and his respect for the rule of law. It is an honor to have him as part of our team at the Arizona Corporation Commission,” Myers said.
In addition to this recent honor, Van Flein was chosen in 2025 as the 2026 President of the National Conference of Regulatory Attorneys (NCRA). As part of this role, he will help host the NCRA conference in Phoenix from May 3-6, 2026.
Van Flein began his career at Paul Hastings in Los Angeles focusing on civil litigation and business law before becoming a partner at Clapp, Peterson, Van Flein, Tiemessen and Thorsness. He has held several prominent roles including General Counsel to the Congressional Western Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives and Chief of Staff to a U.S. Congressman. TIME magazine described him as often being “the first call for advice, political or legal.” His achievements include serving as Editor-in-Chief for both the Arizona Journal of International Law and Alaska Bar Rag; he was also appointed to Alaska’s Supreme Court Rules Committee and served as President of Alaska Inns of Court.
The Excellence in Law Awards highlight attorneys across Arizona who demonstrate outstanding professional achievement along with significant leadership and community impact.
