Her Mission
Cathleen J. Henniges, formerly Cathleen J. Smith, was admitted to the practice of law in 2014 and is committed to maintaining the firm’s high standards for quality legal representation.
Personal and Professional History
Cathy was born in Tucson, Arizona, where she has lived her entire life. Cathy graduated as a top ten student from Mountain View High School, and continued her education at The University of Arizona where she was admitted to the Honors College as well as to the prestigious Eller College of Management. Cathy pursued a double major in the fields of Business Economics & Business Management and in 2011 was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration With Honors & Summa Cum Laude. In 2011, Cathy was admitted to the distinguished James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona where she was honored to work as an Editorial Assistant to Professor of Law William K. Sjostrom, Jr. to assist with editing his publications on Mergers & Acquisitions and Business Organizations. While in law school, Cathy focused on business and tax matters, writing her doctoral thesis entitled “A Comparative and Practical Analysis of Arizona Limited Liability Companies for Asset Protection.” In 2014, Cathy was awarded the degree of Juris Doctor Cum Laude. Cathy has worked at her father’s law office all of her life, advancing from a junior administrative assistant, legal assistant and law clerk while attending law school. In October 2014, Cathy joined the Law Offices of Tucson Legal, PLLC as an associate attorney and joined Charles R. Smith as a partner in 2024. Cathy married Alex Henniges in August 2015, and they have two daughters.
Cathy is a member of the Pima County Bar Association, the State Bar of Arizona, and the American Bar Association. Cathy is admitted to practice law in all State courts throughout Arizona, the United States District Court in and for the District of Arizona, the United States Bankruptcy Court in and for the District of Arizona, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Tax Court. Cathy is additionally authorized to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service. Cathy also serves on the editorial board of The Writ, the official newsletter of the Pima County Bar Association.
Activities
2014-present State Bar of Arizona Member
2014-present Pima County Bar Association Member
• Young Lawyer’s Division Committee Board Member (January 2016 to present), Secretary (June 2017 to May 2020), President-Elect (June 2020 to May 2021), Co-President (June 2021 to May 2022), & President (June 2022 to May 2023)
• The Writ Committee Editorial Board Member (January 2016 to present)
2011-present American Bar Association Member
2013-2014 Editorial Assistant – Mergers & Acquisitions by William K. Sjostrom, Jr.
2012-2013 Editorial Assistant – Teacher’s Manual for Bus. Org. by William K. Sjostrom, Jr.
2012-2013 Editorial Assistant – Business Organizations by William K. Sjostrom, Jr.
2011-2014 Business Law Society Member
2011-2014 Law Women’s Association Member
2009-2011 National Society of Leadership and Success
2009-2011 Competitive Bowling Team at University of Arizona
2009-2011 Eller Scholars
2009-2011 Beta Gamma Sigma
2008-2011 Golden Key International Honour Society
2008-2011 National Society of Collegiate Scholars
2008-2009 Eller Leadership and Integrity Training for Excellence (ELITE)
• Planned a Nationwide Leadership Conference on business in the new age
• Organized ELITE program for incoming freshman
2004-2007 Arizona Governor’s Youth Commission, Commissioner
2006 National Student Leadership Conference, American University, Washington, D.C.
Awards
Lawyers of Distinction, 2021
Tax Law and Policy Certificate, College of Law, 2014
CALI Award in Pre-Trial Litigation, Spring 2014
Dean’s List, College of Law, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013
CALI Award in Corporate Taxation, Spring 2013
Substantial Paper – A Comparative and Practical Analysis of Arizona Limited Liability Companies for Asset Protection, 2013
Recognized with Honors in Legal Writing, Fall 2011
Eller 100 Outstanding Senior, 2011
Academic All-American, 2009-2010
University of Arizona Honorable Mention, Spring 2010, Fall 2008
First Level Honors, Fall 2009
McCord Scholar Finalist, Spring 2009
University of Arizona Highest Academic Distinction, 2008-2009
University of Arizona Academic Distinction, 2007-2008
University of Arizona Dean’s List, Spring 2008
University of Arizona Dean’s List with Distinction, Fall/Spring 2009, Fall 2007
Mountain View High School Scholar of the Year, 2007
University of Arizona President’s Award for Excellence, 2006
University of Arizona Regent’s High Honors Endorsement Award, 2006
Additional Information
