Coppersmith Brockelman, a business law firm in Phoenix, has announced that 11 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized as 2016 Best Lawyers®. Among the honorees, James Belanger was also named “Lawyer of the Year” for the criminal defense-white collar practice area in Phoenix, and Kent Brockelman was awarded this designation in employment law-management.

Now in its 21st edition, The Best Lawyers in America is the longest-running peer-review publication in the legal profession. Each year, Best Lawyers conducts comprehensive surveys among tens of thousands of leading lawyers who confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Based on the results of these surveys, the publication designates the year’s Best Lawyers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Coppersmith Brockelman attorneys who are recognized in the 2016 edition include:

  • James Belanger: “Lawyer of the Year” in criminal defense: white-collar; also named a Best Lawyer in commercial litigation, criminal defense: non-white-collar, ethics and professional responsibility law, litigation-regulatory enforcement (SEC, telecom, energy), qui tam law
  • Kent Brockelman: “Lawyer of the Year” in employment law-management; also named a Best Lawyer in litigation-labor and employment
  • Keith Beauchamp: commercial litigation, legal malpractice law-defendants, litigation-securities
  • Scott Bennett: criminal defense: non-white-collar
  • Jill Chasson: employment law-management, labor law-management
  • Roopali Desai: commercial litigation
  • John DeWulf: bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, litigation-securities
  • Kimberly Fatica: employment law-management, litigation-labor and employment
  • Andy Gordon: administrative/regulatory law, antitrust law, commercial litigation, health care law, litigation-health care
  • Karen Owens: antitrust law, health care law
  • Kristen Rosati: health care law

“To be recognized by one’s peers is a tremendous honor in any profession,” said Kent Brockelman, managing partner, Coppersmith Brockelman. “We’re thrilled that so many of our attorneys have been recognized as Best Lawyers, as it’s a testament to the depth and breadth of our small, but powerful, team.”