It was the end of Rick Unklesbay's first semester in law school when his civil-procedures professor took him aside.
"He told me, 'You're not going to cut it in law school. You need to find something else to do,' " Unklesbay recalled with a laugh.
On Friday, Unklesbay, 56, retired from the Pima County Attorney's Office, just a few months shy of his 29th anniversary.
In that time, Unklesbay successfully prosecuted nearly 100 murder suspects and earned the admiration and respect of victims' family members, fellow prosecutors and defense attorneys.
In August 2003, Unklesbay received a lifetime-achievement award from the Arizona Prosecuting Attorney's Advisory Council. In June 2005, the Association of Government Attorneys in Capital Litigation recognized him for outstanding advocacy in capital cases and last year he was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers.
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Unklesbay said he just felt "it was time" to retire, travel with his wife, Margaret, and see if he can write a book, whether it's fiction or based on his courtroom experiences.
He admits to feeling a bit unsettled.
"I'll probably be sitting in retirement thinking 'God, I want that case' "
Asked what he'll miss the most, Unklesbay said, "I think I'm just really going to miss being part of the court system, the daily activity around the courthouse."
While Unklesbay is respected because of his success in the courtroom, his adversaries say their admiration goes beyond his numbers.
Stanton Bloom describes Unklesbay as a man of "high moral character." Brick Storts calls him a "magnificent gentleman." Rick Lougee describes him as "fair, honest and bright."
"In the heat of battle, we've crossed swords, but he's never done anything dishonorable," Lougee said. "He's always had the ability to keep it collegial. He's not like many in his office who have decided God is on their side. He's never broken any rules to gain an advantage."
Gail Leland, the founder and executive director of Homicide Survivors, said Unklesbay was "magical" in the courtroom.
"Rick was so highly skilled at communicating and presenting evidence, he didn't have to ever raise his voice, or come on real strong or angry-like," Leland said. "He had a way of really being able to give the jurors what they need in a kind, respectful, gentle way."
Unklesbay was also exceptionally kind and caring to victims' families, and they were always proud someone of his stature sought justice for their loved ones, regardless of the verdict, Leland said.
Unklesbay didn't just spend his time preparing and trying murder cases, however.
He served as the chief criminal deputy county attorney, a largely administrative job, for a few years, and for the past several years, he has been responsible, in some way, for all of the homicide cases that come through the office.
Unklesbay was one of Deputy Pima County Attorney Kellie Johnson's first supervisors and they later tried many cases together.
As a younger attorney, it was nice to have someone who was always calm and reassuring, Johnson said. Unklesbay never saw anything as being a crisis.
"I also learned you don't have to be an overbearing and aggressive prosecutor and go after the jugular every time," Johnson said. "You can be tough when you have to be, but you don't have to be rabid about it."
Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall said she has always relied on Unklesbay's advice.
"He doesn't shoot from the hip. He thinks things through carefully and meticulously," LaWall said. "He exemplifies the old adage that prosecutors should be seeking justice, not convictions."
Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com
