Council Member Julie Pace

Councilmember and former Vice Mayor Julie Pace is a proud 4^th generation Arizonan and attorney who has lived in Paradise Valley for 20 years.  Julie has a passion for preserving our Town’s iconic mountains, open space and desert ambience.  She is focused on our Town’s quality of life in residential living and responsible resort development that fits the character of our low-density community and is passionate about preserving our unique Town.  Julie created the digital newspaper “Preserving Paradise Valley” to celebrate our unique Town and keep residents informed and led a grassroots effort to Save Camelback Mountain.

Julie’s priorities on the Town Council are public safety, fiscal responsibility, resident concerns, and preservation of the unique, low-density quality of life in Paradise Valley. Julie worked diligently on updating the Hillside Safety Improvement Ordinance and drafted the Hillside construction staging plan. She is currently working with residents and the Town to beautify the front of Camelback Cemetery across the street from Kiva School.

Julie served for two years as Chair of the ACOPS Committee that works in cooperation with the PV Police Department to strengthen the public involvement, education, and security of residents. Julie initiated and established the Houses of Worship committee. Recently, Julie worked with the Historic Committee on the Town’s 60^th Anniversary Celebration.

Julie voluntarily worked with the Trustees to reinvigorate the Paradise Valley Mountain Preservation Trust (PVMPT) to rebrand the name and website, developed a First-Ever Recognition Event, obtain new donations, and initiated with our Stone Canyon neighborhood the conservation children’s book called “The Story of Camelback Mountain.”  Over 2,000 books sold with 100% of the proceeds donated to the Trust.

Julie has practiced law for more than 30 years representing companies in employment, construction and OSHA.  She previously worked in investment and insurance sales management.  She earned a B.S. in Business, magna cum laude, and J.D., cum laude, from Arizona State University.  She has served as a Judge Pro Tem on the Arizona Court of Appeals. 

Julie has held leadership positions in many professional and civic organizations, particularly in the construction and service industry.  Arizona Business Magazine named her as one of the 10 most influential lawyers in Arizona in 2008.  She is named in Best Lawyers in America for Construction and is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.  Julie is regularly quoted in local and national media on employment law and other issues, including Forbes, Business Week, The New York Times, L.A. Times, NPR, CNN, FOX News, CBS News, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Arizona Republic, Daily Independent, Tucson Daily Star and more.

Prior to moving to Paradise Valley 20 years ago, Julie has been an active volunteer in civic affairs in the East Valley, including serving 12 years as a member and Chair of the Mesa Redevelopment Commission (handling one-stop shopping of planning and zoning, board of adjustment, and design review), worked closely under 5 mayors on various project to benefit the city, and served on the general plan committee.  Julie’s past involvement includes Soroptimists, Mesa Leadership, and serving on the Board of the East Valley Partnership as Vice President of Economic Development and co-founding the East Valley Economic Forum.  She co-founded the Southwest Shakespeare Company and has served as pro bono legal counsel for the Phoenix Symphony for over 25 years.

Julie was honored to receive the 2023 Outstanding Service Award from ASA of Arizona, 2017 Outstanding Associate Member of the Year from the Arizona Landscape Contractors Association, 2014 Lifetime of Outstanding Contributions of the Construction Industry,  2009 Volunteer of the Year from SHRM SMA Greater Phoenix, the 1994 Rio Salado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Community Vision Award for her “Contributions to the Built Community,” recognized as Mesa’s Young Women of the Year and awarded Mesa’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit of Unity award.

Julie cofounded Pace Selden Gilman Marks dba PSGM Law.  Her law practice focuses on representing businesses in a wide variety of employment, construction, healthcare, and commercial law matters, including OSHA, I-9 and E-Verify immigration compliance, wage and hour and DOL audits, handbooks, drug and alcohol policies, confidentiality and restrictive covenant agreements, executive employment agreements, investigations, training, counseling, contracts, acquisitions, and commercial litigation.  

Julie’s hobbies include being an avid and award-winning photographer, traveling to 95 countries.  She is also certified by the Desert Botanical Garden in desert plant forms and maintenance.