Bryan Cave attorney Rodney Ott has been selected as one of this year’s Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys in Arizona by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education. Ott was recognized on June 25 at the Foundation’s luncheon at the State Bar of Arizona Annual Convention held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. The Foundation established this award in 2001 to recognize attorneys who have tirelessly given their time and experience to assist Arizonans who would otherwise have no legal resources.

Ott was nominated by the Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) for his work helping an indigent client retrieve his down payment on a car.  Defects in the car became obvious within a few days after the client’s purchase of the vehicle.  The client sought to return the car, requesting a full refund of his down payment, but the dealership refused.  The dealership eventually repossessed the car, but then refused to refund the client’s down payment and instead made a substantial profit selling the car to another party.  Ott filed a complaint in justice court on behalf of the client, pursued the case for almost a year, and ultimately represented the client at trial before the justice court.  After taking the case under advisement, the justice court ordered the car dealership to return all of the down payment amount to the client.

Founded in 1981, the VLP unites those in need with volunteer lawyers whose counsel gives thousands of Arizonans hope for a better life. VLP is co-sponsored by Community Legal Services and the Maricopa County Bar Association.

Ott’s practices in the area of general business and commercial litigation and appeals. He has been involved in a number of jury trials and appeals concerning eminent domain, contract and lease disputes, valuation of real estate, and governmental takings of undeveloped and improved land. He represents developers and utilities in public utility commission matters, including cases involving the issuance and modifications of certificates of convenience and necessity. His practice includes appeals in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Arizona Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, Divisions One and Two. He also practices in the area of product liability.