Here are some of the Arizona attorneys — as reported to AZ Big Media — who were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers In America. Attorneys named to The Best Lawyers in America were recognized by their peers in the legal industry for their professional excellence in 146 practice areas. For the 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, 8.3 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in the inclusion of more than 62,000 lawyers, or approximately 5% of lawyers in private practice in the United States.
Gallagher & Kennedy
Gallagher & Kennedy announced that 33 of its attorneys, across 34 practice areas, were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers In America. Of those recognized, more than half have been included for more than 10 years. Additionally, two shareholders were named Lawyers of the Year: Kevin E. O’Malley (Municipal) and Dalva L. Moellenberg (Environmental Law). The firm is also proud to have gained three new additions to the list; Joshua Becker, Matthew P. MacLeod, and Matthew R. Boatman.
Gallagher & Kennedy attorneys received the following Best Lawyers in America honors:
Dana Stagg Belknap – Government Relations Practice; Land Use and Zoning Law; Real Estate Law
Joshua Becker – Franchise Law
Matthew R. Boatman – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Robert W. Boatman – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Timothy D. Brown – Tax Law
Shannon L. Clark – Appellate Practice; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs; Professional Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
Lincoln Combs – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
James B. Connor – Real Estate Law
Joseph E. Cotterman – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Bankruptcy
J. Stanton Curry – Environmental Law
Mark C. Dangerfield – Commercial Litigation
Mark M. Deatherage – Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Real Estate
D. Lee Decker – Environmental Law; Litigation – Environmental; Natural Resources Law
Mark A. Fuller – Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation
Michael L. Gallagher – Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television; Sports Law
Donald Peder Johnsen – Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment
Michael K. Kennedy – Commercial Litigation; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants; Sports Law
David P. Kimball – Environmental Law; Litigation – Environmental
Anne L. Leary – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Matthew P. MacLeod – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Kelly C. Mooney – Tax Law
Dalva L. Moellenberg (Santa Fe) – Environmental Law; Litigation – Environmental; Natural Resources Law
Kevin D. Neal – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Raymond M. Norris – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Kevin E. O’Malley – Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Litigation – Construction; Litigation – Environmental; Litigation – Municipal; Litigation – Securities
Jeffrey T. Pyburn – Litigation – Insurance; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Michael R. Ross – Litigation – Labor and Employment
Dean C. Short II – Corporate Law; Sports Law
Terence W. Thompson – Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Woodrow C. Thompson – Criminal Defense: General Practice; Criminal Defense: White-Collar; DUI/DWI Defense
William Charles Thomson – Commercial Litigation
Jay S. Volquardsen – DUI/DWI Defense
David L. Wallis – Environmental Law
Burch & Cracchiolo
Two prominent real estate attorneys from Burch & Cracchiolo have been selected as “Lawyers of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America 2020 edition. Firm president Andy Abraham has been named in the Real Estate Litigation practice area, and Ed Bull has been named in Land Use and Zoning Law. This is the third year they have been bestowed the “Lawyer of the Year” honor with both being recognized in 2014 and 2018.
In addition, Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. announced 16 additional attorneys have been selected by 2020 Best Lawyers in America©. Selected are:
Daniel Cracchiolo: Personal Injury-Plaintiffs & Defendants
Susan E. Chetlin: Intellectual Property
Amy D. Howland: Real Estate Law/Banking and Finance Law
Michael S. Dulberg: Construction Law/Construction Litigation
Edwin D. Fleming: Commercial Litigation
Frank M. Fox: Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants
Todd A. Julian: Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs
Ian Neale: Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiff & Defendants
Susanne E. Ingold: Employment Law/Employment Litigation
Alan A. Meda: Bankruptcy/Creditors’ Rights/Commercial Litigation
David M. Villadolid: Employment Law/ Labor Law
Wendi A. Sorensen: Litigation Insurance/Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants
Sharon J. Oscar: Real Estate Law
Thomas A. Longfellow: Family Law
Steven J. Lippman: Business/Corporate Law/Real Estate Law
Gregory A. Rosenthal: Litigation-Insurance/Personal Injury-Defendants
Ogletree Deakins
The Phoenix-based Ogletree Deakins attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2020 include:
Ann-Martha Andrews (Insurance Law)
Joseph T. Clees (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management)
L. Eric Dowell (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Leah S. Freed (Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Mark G. Kisicki (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Caroline Larsen (Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Christopher J. Meister (Employment Law – Management)
Tracy A. Miller (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Nonnie L. Shivers (Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Elizabeth M. Soveranez (Employment Law – Management)
Thomas M. Stanek (Employment Law – Management)
Polsinelli
Polsinelli’s 2020 Best Lawyers are:
John Clemency – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Litigation – Bankruptcy
Lindsi Weber – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Paul Roshka – Bet the Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy); Litigation -Securities
Michael Gillette – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Eric Lynch – Commercial Litigation
Phil Guttilla – Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Anne Kleindienst – Corporate Law; Franchise Law; Health Care Law
Melissa Ho – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Edward Novak – Criminal Defense: White Collar
Gerrit Steenblik – Real Estate Law
Jaburg Wilk
The following Jaburg Wilk lawyers were named to 2020 The Best Lawyers in America list:
Mark D. Bogard – Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
Neal H. Bookspan – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Mervyn T. Braude – Family Law, Family Law Arbitration
Roger L. Cohen – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Beth Cohn – Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
C. Cole Crabtree – Construction Law
Lauren L. Garner – Trusts and Estates, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Laurence Hirsch – Family Law
Gary J. Jaburg – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Kraig J. Marton – Health Care Law, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Employment Law – Management, Employment Law – Individuals
Mitchell Reichman – Family Law, Family Law Mediation, Family Law Arbitration
Kathi M. Sandweiss – Appellate Practice
Carissa K. Seidl – Family Law
Maria Crimi Speth – Information Technology, Technology Law, Copyright Law, Trademark Law
Lawrence E. Wilk – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Real Estate Law
Jones, Skelton & Hochuli
The following Jones, Skelton & Hochuli lawyers were named to 2020 The Best Lawyers in America list:
Donn Alexander: Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Robert R. Berk: Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Stephen A. Bullington: Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Charles Callahan: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
David S. Cohen: Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Jefferson T. Collins: Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
James P. Curran: Commercial Litigation
John M. DiCaro: Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Kathleen Elder: Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
James Evans: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Gregory L. Folger: Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers
Eileen Dennis GilBride: Appellate Practice
Michael W. Halvorson: Litigation – Insurance
Michael E. Hensley: Litigation – Insurance, Insurance Law
William D. Holm: Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Gordon Lewis: Education Law “Lawyer of the Year”, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
J. Gary Linder: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Michael A. Ludwig: Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
John T. Masterson: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Ryan J. McCarthy: Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
A. Melvin McDonald: Criminal Defense: General Practice
Donald L. Myles, Jr.: Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
James J. Osborne: Commercial Litigation
William J. Schrank: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
J. Russell Skelton: Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers
Josh Snell: Litigation – Insurance
Phillip Stanfield: Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Georgia A. Staton: Employment Law – Management, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Lori Voepel: Appellate Practice
Mark D. Zukowski: Arbitration
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie attorneys named “Lawyer of the Year”:
Bryant D. Barber – Municipal Law
Stephen M. Bressler – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Randall S. Papetti – Bet-the-Company Litigation Bruce Samuels – Trademark law
Bruce E. Samuels –Trademark Law
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers 2020:
Amy E. Altshuler – Real Estate Law
Bryant D. Barber – Municipal Law, Public Finance Law
Edwin A. Barkel – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Securities
Stephen M. Bressler – Insurance Law, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Scott K. Brown – Appellate Practice, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Flavia Campbell – Trademark Law
Carla A. Consoli – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
Dale A. Danneman – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Litigation – Securities
Pat Derdenger – Tax Law
Scott D. DeWald – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law
Susan M. Freeman – Appellate Practice, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Michael T. Hallam – Administrative /Regulatory Law, Communications Law
Gregory Y. Harris – Administrative /Regulatory Law, Government Relations Practice, Healthcare Law
Stephen M. Hart – Gaming Law, Native American Law
Frances J. Haynes – Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
Steven J. Hulsman – Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Lawrence A. Kasten – Appellate Practice
Peter A. Larson – Native American Law
Laura A. Lo Bianco – Corporate Law, Nonprofit/Charities Law
Robert H. McKirgan – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Real Estate
Linda M. Mitchell – Real Estate Law
Randall S. Papetti – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Real Estate, Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Melanie V. Pate – Litigation – Labor and Employment
Michael J. Phalen – Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
Craig W. Phillips – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Foster Robberson – Product Liability Litigation -– Defendants
Robert F. Roos – Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
Bruce E. Samuels – Commercial Litigation, Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Real Estate, Trade Secrets Law, Trademark Law
Heidi K. Short – Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
Mary Ellen Simonson – Education Law, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Jennifer A. Van Kirk – Copyright Law, Trademark Law
Kenneth Van Winkle, Jr. – Real Estate Law
Jon Weiss – Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Real Estate
John C. West – Commercial Litigation, Healthcare Law, Litigation-Healthcare
Nancy White – Corporate Law
Ballard Spahr
The following Ballard Spahr lawyers were named to 2020 The Best Lawyers in America list:
2020 Lawyers of the Year
Karen C. McConnell – Mergers and Acquisitions Law
2020 Best Lawyers
Advertising Law: David J. Bodney
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law: Dean C. Waldt
Commercial Litigation: John G. Kerkorian, Brian Schulman
Corporate Law: Karen C. McConnell, Stephen M. Savage, William A. Hicks III
Employment Law – Management: Ronald J. Stolkin
Environmental Law: David J. Armstrong
International Mergers & Acquisitions: Karen C. McConnell, Stephen M. Savage
Labor Law – Management: Ronald J. Stolkin
Litigation – Construction: Brian Schulman
Litigation – First Amendment: David J. Bodney
Litigation – Intellectual Property: Brian W. LaCorte
Litigation – Patent: Brian W. LaCorte
Litigation – Real Estate: Brian Schulman
Media Law: David J. Bodney
Mergers and Acquisitions Law: Karen C. McConnell, William A. Hicks III
Municipal Law: William A. Hicks III
Non-Profit / Charities Law: Kendis Key Muscheid
Public Finance Law: Michele L. Bax, William A. Hicks III
Real Estate Law: Brian Schulmanm Craig Ganz
Securities / Capital Markets Law: Karen C. McConnell
Securities Regulation: Karen C. McConnell
Tax Law: Kendis Key Muscheid
Trademark Law: Brian W. LaCorte
Coppersmith Brockelman
2020 “Lawyers of the Year” in Phoenix:
Andrew Gordon: 2020 Antitrust Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Phoenix
2020 Best Lawyers:
Keith Beauchamp: Commercial Litigation; Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants; Litigation – Securities (recognized since 2008)
Scott Bennett: Criminal Defense – General Practice (recognized since 2013); Health Care Law
Kent Brockelman: Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment (recognized since 2006)
Jill Chasson: Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management (recognized since 2012)
Sam Coppersmith: Corporate Law; Real Estate Law (recognized since 2018)
Roopali Desai: Administrative/Regulatory Law; Appellate Practice; Civil Rights Law; Commercial Litigation (recognized since 2015); First Amendment Law
John DeWulf: Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Securities (recognized since 2007)
Kimberly Fatica: Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment (recognized since 2008)
Andrew Gaona: Appellate Practice
Andrew Gordon: Administrative/Regulatory Law; Commercial Litigation; Health Care Law; Litigation – Antitrust; Litigation – Health Care (recognized since 2003)
Karen Owens: Antitrust Law; Health Care Law (recognized since 1999)
Kristen Rosati: Administrative/Regulatory Law; Health Care Law (recognized since 2007)
Marvin Ruth: Commercial Litigation (recognized since 2019)
Kathy Steadman: Administrative/Regulatory Law
Withey Morris
Best Lawyers in America 2020 recognized four attorneys from Withey Morris PLC, a prominent Arizona land use law firm for more than 20 years. The 2020 edition of Best Lawyers in America includes the following Withey Morris attorneys and practices:
William F. Allison – Government Relations Practice and Land Use and Zoning Law
Adam Baugh – Land Use and Zoning Law
Jason B. Morris – Land Use and Zoning Law
Michael B. Withey – Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law
Jennings Strouss
Jennings Strouss had the following attorneys named to The Best Lawyers in America list for 2020:
Julia S. Acken – Litigation – Labor and Employment
Gerald W. Alston – Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, International Arbitration – Commercial, International Trade and Finance Law, Litigation – Construction, Mediation
Thomas C. Arendt – Real Estate Law
John J. Balitis – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Timothy W. Barton – Litigation – Real Estate
David Brnilovich – Real Estate Law
John R. Christian – Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Richard K. Delo – Health Care Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
John J. Egbert – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Lee E. Esch – Real Estate Law
Jay A. Fradkin – Health Care Law, Litigation – Health Care, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Scott F. Frerichs – Construction Law
Jeffrey D. Gardner – Commercial Litigation
Joel L. Greene – Energy Law
Norma C. Izzo – Family Law, Family Law Arbitration, Family Law Mediation
Paul G. Johnson – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation
John J. Kastner – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Michael K. Kelly – Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Patent Law, Trademark Law
Gary G. Keltner – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy, Real Estate Law
Christopher W. Kramer – Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Richard Lieberman – Banking and Finance Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law, Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
Chris M. Mason – Employment Law – Management
Bruce B. May – Real Estate Law
Anne E. McClellan – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Gary J. Newell – Energy Law
John C. Norling – Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Robert J. Novak – Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law
Michael R. Palumbo – Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Mediation
J. Scott Rhodes – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Arbitration, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Municipal, Mediation, Municipal Law, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
Alan I. Robbins – Energy Law
Jack N. Rudel – Corporate Law, Tax Law
John G. Sestak – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Litigation – Real Estate
Otto S. Shill, III – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Employment Law – Management
Richard H. Silverman – Energy Law
Richard C. Smith – Corporate Law
Wayne A. Smith – Real Estate Law
George C. Spilsbury – Corporate Law, Public Finance Law
Bradley J. Stevens – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Howard J. Weiss – Real Estate Law
Greenberg Traurig
The Phoenix Greenberg Traurig attorneys listed in 2020 Best Lawyers in America are:
• Benjamin Aguilera – International Trade and Finance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Brian H. Blaney – Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation, Venture Capital Law
• Mary E. Bruno – Employment Law – Management
• Rebecca Lynne Burnham – Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
• Michael Cafiso – Public Finance Law
• John E. Cummerford – Copyright Law, Patent Law, Technology Law, Trademark Law
• William R. DeHaan – Public Finance Law
• Karl A. Freeburg – Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law
• Robert M. Goldich – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation -Labor and Employment
• Stanton E. Johnson – Real Estate Law
• Robert S. Kant – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
• Leslie (Les) A. Klein – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Bruce E. Macdonough – Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law
• Michael Mason – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• James F. Miles – Health Care Law
• Kevin J. Morris – Banking and Finance Law – Management, Real Estate Law
• Bruce T. Neel – Patent Law
• James M. Nelson – Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Pamela Overton Risoleo – Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Gil Rudolph – Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law
• Ralph W. Selitto, Jr. – Litigation – Patent
• Jeffrey H. Verbin – Banking and Finance Law, Equipment Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law
• E. Jeffrey Walsh – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate
• Quinn P. Williams – Corporate Law, Franchise Law, Venture Capital Law
Sherman & Howard
The following Sherman & Howard attorneys from Phoenix are included in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America:
• Joseph Chandler — Real Estate Law
• John Doran — Litigation: Labor and Employment / Qui Tam Law
• Robert Hackett — Commercial Litigation / Litigation: Antitrust / Litigation: Real Estate / Litigation: Securities
• Thomas Morgan — Litigation: Securities / Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• David Weatherwax — Commercial Litigation
EDITOR’S NOTE: These were the law firms that reported their honored attorneys to AZ Big Media prior to publication of this story. There are more Arizona attorneys who earned Best Lawyers honors.
