Lee & Associates Arizona announces new principal

Lee & Associates Arizona announced the promotion of Gregg Kafka, CCIM to Principal. As part of The Coppola-Cheney Group, a leading office brokerage team within the firm, and Metro Phoenix, Kafka joined Lee & Associates in 2011. Specializing in the representation of both tenants and owners, specifically in the leasing and sales of office properties, Kafka’s experience has led him to negotiate over 1 million square feet. 

“Gregg is a natural in our business with his construction background and ability to put deals together.  Our entire team is incredibly proud of his accomplishments,” shared Andrew Cheney, Principal at Lee & Associates.

Specializing in office representation with more than 210 lease transactions amounting to over $50 million in gross consideration, some of Kafka’s clients currently represented include Tryperion Partners, City Office REIT, Cypress Office Properties, Oaktree Capital, Opus, Regent Properties, Bank 34, BerryDunn and Sequoia Consulting Group.

Tim Schantz officially moves into role as Troon’s CEO

As the month of March draws to a close, Troon President Tim Schantz will officially move into his new role as chief executive officer of the world’s largest club management firm on April 1st, while Troon founder Dana Garmany becomes the company’s executive chairman. 

Schantz has been with Troon since 1998 and has served as the company’s president since 2017. Prior to becoming president, he was the executive vice president of global business development for the 29-year-old management firm. Schantz has over 24 years of experience in the golf and hospitality industries, specializing in corporate and real estate transactions. Prior to joining Troon, Schantz served as vice president and senior corporate counsel for the Doubletree Corporation, a Phoenix-based lodging and hospitality company. A licensed attorney, Schantz began his career in the California offices of Latham & Watkins international law firm. Schantz received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado Boulder and his Juris Doctor in Law from the University of Kansas.

Garmany founded Troon in 1990 with Troon North Golf Club as its flagship property. Under Garmany’s leadership, Troon has become the world’s largest golf management company providing services at more than 360 locations around the globe, including managing 280 golf courses at 246 facilities. Throughout its history, Troon has earned a reputation for delivering pristine golf course conditions, personalized member services, outstanding food & beverage experiences and world-class retail offerings.

“I feel a personal responsibility to carry on Dana’s legacy, create value for him and the company, and maintain the feeling that we’re part of something very special that one guy started 29 years ago,” said Schantz. “Leading Troon will be a lot of responsibility, but it’s something I welcome. There are no dramatic changes planned. For Troon associates and our facilities, it’s business as usual with no big changes or reinventions.” 

In his new role as executive chairman, Garmany will still be active with the company as he’ll continue to run board meetings and be a presence for Troon in the industry. He is the largest individual shareholder of the company.

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie attorney earns icon award

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP attorney, Susan M. Freeman, is the recipient of the 2019 Barbara Barrett Arizona Women’s Education and Employment Icon award presented to her during an awards ceremony on March 23, 2019. This annual award recognizes women who have helped others overcome obstacles and made extraordinary contributions to society. The award is named after Ambassador Barbara Barrett in recognition of her lifetime of service to her community and nation.  

Freeman is a partner in the firm’s Litigation practice who concentrates on civil appeals and on business bankruptcy cases. With experience serving as individual counsel and as co-counsel, she assists in all aspects of business bankruptcy cases ranging from creditor and committee representation, to debtors in possession, secured lenders and asset purchasers. Freeman has briefed over 300 appeals and argued over 100, primarily in Arizona appellate courts and the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, but also in the United States Supreme Court and other courts around the country. She is listed as counsel of record in over 150 reported decisions, including complex bankruptcy cases, commercial, tort, ERISA, tax and employment cases.

MacQueen & Gottlieb makes 2 new hires

Arizona’s top-ranked real estate law firm, MacQueen & Gottlieb PLC (M&G) today announced the hiring of its seventh attorney, Robert Rutila. Rutila brings to M&G more than 20 years of experience in the areas of real estate, construction and business-related litigation to MacQueen & Gottlieb and is admitted to practice law in both the Arizona and California.

Rutila comes to M&G from Carson Messinger, PLLC, a 94-year old Phoenix law firm where his practice included representing various financial, entrepreneurial and manufacturing clients. Prior to Carson, Rutila was Senior Counsel with both Ridenour, Hienton & Lewis, PLLC and Buchalter Nemer PLLC. A Brophy alum, he returned to Arizona in 1999 after practicing law in the Bay Area.

M&G also announced the hiring of Pam Molnar to the position of Accounts Payable Specialist. She joins M&G as part of the extraordinary 300 percent growth of the firm over the past two years.

Molnar comes to M&G from Matrix Contracting, LLC a Phoenix based construction firm where in her role as Business Manager she was responsible for all non-construction aspects of operating the company.

Prior to that she served as Marketing Coordinator for Mesa law firm Udall Shumway PLC, where she helped individual attorneys market their practice areas, recommended business development activities and drafted and maintained content for the firm’s web site. She also spent seven years as Office Manager at Gibson Ferrin, PLC; and the six years prior to that as Human Resources Manager of Jaburg & Wilk in Phoenix.

Spencer Fane adds notable partner

Spencer Fane LLP welcomed Rick Herold as a partner in the firm’s Litigation practice group.

During his career, Herold has focused his mediation, arbitration, litigation, and trial work in (1) real estate litigation for developers and other property owners, including condemnation litigation; (2) financial services litigation for banks and other creditors; and (3) employment litigation on behalf of management aimed at protecting trade secrets and avoiding the solicitation of customers and employees.

“We continue to experience high-quality growth in our Phoenix office, and Rick represents another significant addition that aids Spencer Fane in serving our clients’ most important matters,” said Andy Federhar, Office Managing Partner for Spencer Fane in Phoenix. “Rick is a well-respected member of the legal community in Arizona, and Spencer Fane will benefit from his vast experience in complex litigation.”