Jones, Skelton & Hochuli attorneys promoted to partner

R. Christopher Pierce

Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, PLC announced that two of the firm’s associates, R. Christopher Pierce and Erik Stone, have joined the firm’s partnership.

Both attorneys began their legal careers at JSH and have been practicing for the past eight years.

Chris focuses his practice in the areas of construction defect litigation and general civil liability defense including products liability, premises liability and personal injury litigation. He is committed to providing clients with prompt and thorough case evaluations, delivering effective litigation defense strategies, and posturing cases for early resolution opportunities. Chris is activity involved in the Arizona Association of Defense Counsel.

Chris earned an AV-Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by Southwest Super Lawyers as a Rising Star since 2013.

He earned both his J.D. and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Arizona.

Erik Stone

Erik is experienced handling a variety of general civil litigation matters, including commercial litigation, intellectual property, professional liability, wrongful death and personal injury claims, employment and discrimination, and construction defect. In addition, Erik has represented clients in Tribal Law matters, including tribes, casinos, and gaming enterprises.

He represents clients in industries such as financial services, software and technology, health care, legal, manufacturing, real estate, construction, restaurant and hospitality, sales, and retail. Since 2014, Erik has been recognized by Southwest Super Lawyers as a Rising Star.

He earned his J.D. from Boston University School of Law and his B.A. from Arizona State University.

Fennemore Craig elects member to management committee

Fennemore Craig, a leading Mountain West business law firm, announced the election of Susan Wissink, a partner in the firm’s Phoenix office, as the newest member of the firm’s five-person management committee. Wissink practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, healthcare, lending and general corporate matters. She also chairs Fennemore Craig’s Foundation and previously served as practice group chair of the firm’s business and finance practice.

“Susan is an excellent attorney and a respected leader,” said Steve Good, chair of Fennemore Craig’s management committee. “We look forward to working with Susan on leading the firm’s continuing efforts to provide outstanding service to our clients.”

Wissink represents both buyers and sellers in numerous complex transactions, including asset and stock-based acquisitions and sales, mergers and other business reorganizations. She assists her clients in forming new companies, private placements, private equity transactions, real estate lending transactions, general corporate matters and commercial health care matters. Wissink serves as President of the Board of Trustees for Childsplay. She earned her J.D. from Arizona State University and her B.A. from Northwestern University.

Otten named to Arizona Motorcycle Safety board

Wendy Otten, RN, BSN, CEN has been named to the executive board of directors  of the Arizona Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Foundation (AMSAF). AMSAF works to help reduce motorcycle crashes and fatalities.

Otten, the trauma program manager for Trauma Services at Dignity Health’s Chandler Regional Medical Center, feels that motorcycle and safe, undistracted driving affects every Arizonan.

“My collaboration and involvement in AMSAF has truly been one of the most rewarding opportunities of my nursing career,” says Otten. “In my role at Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center, an ACS and State Level I Trauma Center, I unfortunately encounter far too many preventable motorcycle involved deaths every day. I wanted to lend my voice to an organization that raises awareness about motorcycle safety and distracted driving because AMSAF is fully committed to increase the awareness and education of riders and drivers to save lives.

The goal of AMSAF, a 501c3 foundation, is to reduce motorcycle crashes and fatalities in Arizona through education and awareness. The scholarship program is the only one of its kind in the U.S. The organization provides motorcycle training scholarships to individuals 15-1/2 years and older who need training and certification in the State of Arizona. For more information about the program, call 888.951.3732 or visit AMSAF at or www.amsaf.org.