Litigation attorney return to Greenberg Traurig
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP continues expanding its Phoenix office with Litigation Practice Shareholders Laura Sixkiller and Kate L. Benveniste rejoining the firm.
Sixkiller and Benveniste often collaborate as a trial team. They join the firm from DLA Piper, reuniting with Craig Waugh, who recently joined the Phoenix office as a shareholder.
Sixkiller focuses her practice on Securities Litigation and Mergers & Acquisitions Disputes. She has developed a growing practice handling contract and partnership disputes including Trade Secrets, brand protection, and unfair competition matters. Her previous matters include representation of a Fortune Global 500 company in an attorney-general-led investigation for alleged failure to disclosure and alert consumers of product risks; representation of a corporation in an SEC investigation concerning alleged lack of internal controls, and the alleged issuance of offering documents that included false statements of material fact or omitted material information; and defense of various individuals in a lawsuit brought by a receiver over an alleged fraudulent Ponzi scheme that purportedly raised more than $52.9 million through the sale of charitable gift annuities.
Benveniste focuses on Real Estate Litigation, representing proptech (property technology) companies and working on disputes involving commercial leases and real estate transactions. She recently obtained a complete trial victory on behalf of an S&P 500 company in a multi-million dollar sublease dispute. She also has a niche practice area in the health and wellness space, representing clients ranging from franchisors to pharmaceutical companies, and handling matters ranging from statutory claims to regulatory issues.
“We are very pleased to welcome back Laura and Kate, two outstanding litigators whose wide-ranging skills will be highly useful to our clients locally and beyond,” said Jeremy D. Zangara, co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Phoenix office. “As we continue to meet the high demand for exceptional legal counsel in the growing Phoenix market, we will add attorneys across various practice areas.”
Nicole Goodwin, co-managing shareholder of the Phoenix office, adds, “Having had the privilege of working with both Laura and Kate as valued members of our Litigation Practice, I am thrilled with the return of these top-notch advocates who have always demonstrated the strong commitment to client service that Greenberg Traurig attorneys embody. It is always a positive reflection on our culture when alumni return to the firm.”
Both attorneys represent private equity and venture capital companies, working with fund sponsors and portfolio companies with significant business holdings.
Kidder Mathews grows Valuation Advisory Group
Kidder Mathews, the largest privately held commercial real estate firm on the West Coast, is growing its valuation advisory group. Justin Alexander, MAI has joined the firm in Seattle as a senior vice president, and Randall Clemson has been tapped to lead Kidder Mathews Valuation Advisory Services (VAS) companywide.
Alexander has been active in the real estate appraisal industry for over seven years. Prior to Kidder Mathews, he was a senior vice president at Partner Valuation Advisors and a senior appraiser with Valbridge Property Advisors. His appraisal background includes multifamily, industrial, office, retail, agricultural land, and large mixed-use development projects. From high-end resort and vacation markets in rural areas to institutional-grade assets in major metropolitan areas, he brings wide-ranging expertise. He also assists clients with eminent domain and litigation support services.
Alexander holds the prestigious MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute, demonstrating his nuanced understanding of commercial property valuation and his commitment to sound and ethical professional practice. He maintains general appraisal licenses in Washington, Oregon, and Colorado.
“Kidder Mathews provides the best name recognition in the Pacific Northwest. The business format encourages entrepreneurial spirit, and the company gives you the necessary resources to succeed and provide the best quality services to clients,” said Alexander.
Kidder Mathews has more professionals with the MAI designation than any other independent commercial real estate firm on the West Coast. The group consists of 41 appraisers — including 23 MAI designees and seven members with the esteemed CRE® designation. These “Counselors of Real Estate” are prominent real estate practitioners recognized for their expertise, experience, and ethics in providing advice that influences real estate decisions.
NAIOP Arizona expands public policy advocacy
The Arizona Chapter of NAIOP, the commercial real estate development association, today announced the hiring of John Baumer as Director of Government Relations. This new addition to NAIOP’s team marks a significant step forward in the association’s public policy advocacy.
“With major policy issues such as water supply, energy costs and reliability, and infrastructure funding on the horizon, now is the right time for NAIOP to have a dedicated presence at the state capital,” said NAIOP Arizona President and CEO Suzanne Kinney. “John’s experience as a contract lobbyist, legislative staffer, and director of government relations at an industry association has prepared him well to represent commercial real estate at multiple levels of government.”
NAIOP has long been known as the leading voice for commercial real estate at the Arizona State Legislature. With this new hire, the association is poised to take on a broader array of important issues at the state and local levels. Additionally, with NAIOP’s recent expansion into multifamily housing, the association plans to engage more frequently at the municipal level to expedite zoning and approval processes for projects that meet community needs.
“It is an honor to join the Arizona chapter of NAIOP,” Baumer said. “I’m excited to use my experience in government and public affairs to elevate policies that will benefit Arizona’s economy and promote development throughout the state.”
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