LaPour Partners hires Kyle Walker as VP of construction
LaPour Partners has hired a well-known construction industry veteran as its new Vice President of Construction for the company’s growing portfolio.
Kyle Walker will be in charge of new construction for LaPour’s ventures in office, hospitality and industrial projects throughout the Southwest. Walker had served in the construction industry as a project director for ClayCo, as well as a senior project manager for Graycor where he managed over $400M of construction in various product types.
“We are very pleased to be able to bring in someone with Kyle’s extensive experience to oversee construction of our projects throughout the region,” said Jeff LaPour, President of LaPour Partners. “We had the pleasure of getting to know Kyle when he built our Camelback Collective mixed use project. He is a true professional. A great cultural fit for all.”
Bankruptcy attorney Amelia Valenzuela rejoins Quarles & Brady
Bankruptcy
attorney Amelia Valenzuela has rejoined Quarles & Brady’s Phoenix office as of counsel.
Valenzuela focuses her practice on all aspects of distressed loan representation, including loan restructurings, bankruptcy reorganizations, creditor’s rights, and other commercial loan transactions. Additionally, she represents diverse entities in state court and in bankruptcy proceedings under Chapters 7, 11 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Prior to joining Quarles & Brady, Amelia worked in-house for a national diversified, real estate company with complementary businesses which included residential investments, loan assets, commercial investments, brokerage, escrow, and more.
Litigation group joins Dickinson Wright Phoenix office
Dickinson Wright announced it is continuing to expand its commitment to providing its clients with first-class representation by hiring one of the most successful, nationally recognized litigation teams in Arizona into its Phoenix office. Specializing in class action defense, complex litigation and insurance matters, the firm is proud to have Dan Goldfine, Josh Grabel, Jamie Halavais, and Brian Hembd joining the firm’s Phoenix office as Members and Jon Brinkman and Claire Eichmann as Associates.
“This team of excellent litigators has worked together for many years and been highly successful in Arizona, and across the nation, in producing outstanding results for their clients. We are very excited to have this group join our firm, and look forward to working with them as they increase our bench strength and contribute to our ability to advance our firm’s efforts to provide outstanding client service and professionalism. We believe they will be an excellent fit for our firm, and allow us to continue to enhance our capabilities on behalf of our clients, our practice and in contributing to the legal community,” says Mike Hammer, CEO of Dickinson Wright.
“We are very excited about joining Dickinson Wright and the opportunities it provides our team, both personally and professionally. We are looking forward to utilizing this platform to grow our practice and, most importantly, to continue to provide excellent service to our clients as part of this firm,” said Dan Goldfine.
“Dickinson Wright has an outstanding reputation both in Arizona and nationwide, and we are looking forward to continuing our commitment to servant leadership for our clients and at the firm, and to moving forward as part of an excellent national firm with strong local ties,” Josh Grabel added.
Dan Goldfine handles class action and other complex litigation, including matters involving antitrust, insurance coverage, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), consumer fraud and consumer protection laws. He has obtained the dismissal of multi-billion dollar lawsuits and often defeated classes at certification. A former trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, Dan is known for his sophisticated understanding of how litigation risks impact a business and vigorously defends businesses to help them succeed. Dan is recognized as a leader in his field who has received numerous awards, including recognition in both Chambers and Benchmark Litigation. Dan received his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.
Josh Grabel concentrates his practice on class action defense, property and casualty insurance risk and coverage matters, antitrust, construction, public procurement law and complex litigation. He is dedicated to solving complex problems effectively and efficiently for his clients. He has served as lead counsel for numerous multi-million dollar class action and complex litigation cases all over the country in both state and federal courts, and on public bid protests and administrative matters before local, state and federal agencies. He also routinely guides clients in private mediation and arbitration. Josh is recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in America. Josh received his B.A. from the University of Arizona and his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.
Jamie Halavais assists businesses and individuals in resolving difficult problems, helping them obtain business-critical outcomes when faced with complex litigation issues. She defends clients facing class actions, as well as alleged violations of the Securities Act, the Sherman Antitrust Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Jamie helps clients with a full range of business disputes, including insurance defense litigation, and represents companies and independent directors in government and internal investigations to ensure compliance with policies and statutes. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Best Lawyers in America. She received her B.A. from the University of California, Irvine and her J.D. from University at Buffalo Law School.
Brian Hembd, a Phoenix native, concentrates his practice on class action defense. He has been litigating class actions since 2012, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. His class action experience is in numerous industries, including securities, health care, banking, insurance, and automotive. Recently, Brian’s focus has been on defending class actions in the insurance industry. His previous representation of plaintiffs has aided him in understanding and predicting their tactics. Brian is recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in America as a “One to Watch.” He received his B.S. from Arizona State University and his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.
Jon Brinkman, also a Phoenix native, guides his clients through all phases of litigation, from handling pre-trial motion work and depositions to advocating on their behalf in court. He has represented a variety of clients including insurers in first and third-party claims, companies facing product and premises liability, and franchisors and other corporate entities embroiled in high-stakes business disputes across the nation. Jon is recognized as a Rising Star for 2022 by Southwest Super Lawyers. He received his B.A. from Arizona State University; his M.B.A. from Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business, and his J.D. from Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
Claire Eichmann understands that commercial litigation can be a difficult time for clients and desires to help them get through it successfully. She enjoys the fast-paced movement of courtrooms and desires the client interaction that comes with challenging matters. She collaborates with clients to ensure their goals are met and their business interests are protected. Claire clerked for The Hon. Ann A. Scott Timmer, Vice Chief Justice, Arizona Supreme Court. She received her B.A. from University of Wisconsin-Madison and her J.D. from Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
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