I stand by my assertion that legal help is unnecessary in Arizona. 

And they're going to realize that the pitchforks and torches were all an unnecessary dog and pony show run by a ringmistress bent on extracting a great show of moral vengeance for doodling in wet concrete.And the predatory advice the OP has gotten here...Saw out a six-foot block of concrete!

I could see this causing a lot of unnecessary drama and costs in the future. 

This is completely unnecessary in my opinion.

I'm comfortable waiving the re-renting expenses and repairs if she agrees to patch/paint the apartment (it's in really good condition so this is probably unnecessary), and I'm willing to meet her halfway on the re-renting fee (half a month rent instead of 1 month, which the lease says I can take out of any security deposit due back to her) - but I won't offer to use the security deposit to pay it. 

And thanks also for the point about not bringing on unnecessary liability.

I just avoid it as much as possible because it's so unnecessary. 

I have looked at a couple and narrowed down a well recognized  one that I'm leaning toward however they have a lot of fees, some that just seem unnecessary.

These so called JV agreements rarely works out and the deals often fall through because the closing has so many unnecessary people tied in.

Glad it worked out ok for you, even if the landlord caused unnecessary stress.