Paradise Valley resident Richard Herold, a commercial litigation partner in the Phoenix Office of Spencer Fane, LLP, has been elected chairperson of the Board of Directors of Southwest Behavioral & Health Services.

Herold joined the board in 2017 and has played an active role in promoting the organization’s mission to improve the health and well-being of the communities the organization serves statewide, a press release stated.

“SB&H has grown tremendously over the past several years due in large part to the strategic guidance set from our board of directors,” President and CEO Steven Sheets said in the release.. “As a member of our board, Rick has been an integral part of that growth, along with our staff. I look forward to working with Rick as he leads us forward as the chairperson of our board.”

Herold earned his bachelor’s degree from Emory University and law degree from the George Washington University School of Law.

Over many years, he has been an active volunteer on certain pro bono cases (involving guardianship, immigration and the LGBTQIA+ community) and for many community organizations, having served the State Bar of Arizona (on its Ethics Committee, Fee Arbitration Committee and Volunteer Lawyers’ Program), the Maricopa County Superior Court (as a Judge Pro Tempore), and the Valley of the Sun United Way (on its Resource Management Committee).

“It has been a pleasure to serve alongside such dedicated board volunteers who are committed to providing access to primary care and behavioral health services across Arizona,” Herold said in the release. “As the needs of our communities change, I am proud that SB&H is there to provide this much-needed support and am honored to serve on the board.

“My passion for the work of SB&H is driven particularly by a family loss, as we lost my brother Gordon far too young in 2015, and by my concern about the mental health needs of our youth. SB&H is literally changing the world by providing mental health services in approximately 300 schools throughout Arizona to young students who might otherwise not receive care.”

Herold relocated from the northeast 25 years ago and resides with his wife near Camelback Mountain, one of his favorite hikes.