Lorry Bottrill named Mercy Care’s new president and CEO

Lorry Bottrill was recently named the CEO of Mercy Care, a not-for-profit health plan serving over 450,000 AHCCCS members throughout Arizona. She replaces Mark Fisher, who is retiring in January 2019.

Bottrill has been with Mercy Care since 2008, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and previously as Chief Financial Officer. She has held leadership positions with other healthcare companies in Arizona for the past 25 years.

“It is a tremendous honor to be the new CEO of Mercy Care. Our work matters to so many people throughout Arizona as we provide access to health care for some of the most vulnerable residents in our state,” said Bottrill. “I am privileged to lead the incredible team of employees who make sure our members get the care they need every day.” 

MacQueen & Gottlieb hires Christopher J. Zarda

MacQueen & Gottlieb announced the hiring of Christopher J. Zarda as the firm’s newest attorney. A graduate of the University of Missouri Kansas City Law School and the University of Kansas, Zarda brings more than 10 years’ experience in commercial and business litigation, real estate and construction law, and insurance coverage representation to the firm.

Zarda comes to MacQueen & Gottlieb from the Phoenix office of Foran Glennon Palandech Ponzi and Rudloff, PC, where he primarily represented insurance companies against bad faith claims. He began his legal career with Kansas City litigation firms, and prior to relocating to the Phoenix area was general counsel of Affinity Worldwide, a consortium of real estate investment and service entities, including a captive insurer and related claims company. In that capacity he oversaw and managed litigation in multiple jurisdictions as well as maintaining a strong transactional practice.

Melissa Posner Jarrett joins Spencer Fane

Spencer Fane announced the addition of attorney Melissa Posner Jarrett as an associate in the firm’s Labor and Employment practice group in the Phoenix office.

Posner Jarrett specializes in defending employers in labor and employment issues. She has handled cases associated with National Labor Relations Act, Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act and Equal Pay Act matters in both state and federal courts and federal administrative agencies.

Additionally, Posner Jarrett regularly counsels employers on polices and procedures and helps with compliance issues related to applicable laws and regulations.

“Melissa brings not only a strong background in labor and employment law but a keen understanding of the issues facing our clients in Arizona and the surrounding region,” said Andy Federhar, Office Managing Partner for Spencer Fane in Phoenix. “We remain committed to expanding our firm in Phoenix to provide high-level legal services that meet the corresponding needs of our clients.”

Greenberg Traurig’s Benjamin Aguilera elected chair

Benjamin Aguilera of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP’s Phoenix office has been elected Chair of the Executive Council of the Business Law Section of the Arizona State Bar for fiscal year 2018-2019. His election was announced at the 2018 Annual State Bar Convention.

In this role, Aguilera will oversee the sponsorship and administration of programs devoted to the legal education of the members of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Arizona as well as other programs and issues that impact the business law community. This is Aguilera’s third appointment as Chair of a State Bar section. He previously served as Chair of the Executive Council of the Securities Law Section (2002-2003) and Chair of the Executive Council of the International Law Section (2013-2014).

Aguilera, a shareholder in Greenberg Traurig’s Corporate & Securities Practice, has a wide-ranging background in U.S. corporate, M&A, finance and venture capital matters. In addition, Aguilera has experience in international transactions in Mexico, Central and South America, Spain, and Portugal in corporate, M&A, venture capital, finance, anticorruption protocols, hospitality, resorts, commercial and residential real estate, and mining matters. He has also coordinated litigation, tax, intellectual property, labor, and environmental matters in Mexico and Latin America.