Fennemore Craig In The News
August
Attorney John Balitis gives tips on avoiding workplace violence on KFYI RadioPublished Date: August 12, 2010
Description: Use the links to listen to the interview: Audio File 1 | Audio File 2
John Balitis' Profile
Attorney Ben Bauer Comments on Saguaro Ranch Plan of Disclosure
Published Date: August 11, 2010
58 Fennemore Craig Attorneys in Arizona Named to Best Lawyers
Published Date: August 11, 2010
Three Fennemore Craig Attorneys in Las Vegas Named to Best Lawyers
Published Date: August 11, 2010
Material(s): Fennemore Craig, one of the leading law firms in the Southwest, recently announced five 2002-2003 ASU Scholarship recipients at a firm reception. Each year the law firm awards scholarships to four outstanding law students attending Arizona State University. This year’s applicants were especially competitive and the firm chose to award the scholarship to five recipients: Christopher Clark, Ashley Haith, Marci Martinez, Ricardo Rodriguez and Rene Siqueiros.
The first year law students received scholarships of $2100 instead of the expected $1500 thanks to a Fennemore Craig attorney who donated the money for his teaching at the ASU Law School. The students learned of the scholarship through ASU Law School’s email announcements and went through an application and interviewing process with Fennemore Craig’s scholarship committee.
Scholarship recipient, Christopher Clark received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy. He is currently obtaining his J.D. from ASU, as well as a Masters of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to attending law school, Christopher was a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his military service, he worked as an engineer for Southwest Gas Corporation, then as a Senior Energy Resource Planner for the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona. Currently, he is involved in the Native American Law Students Association, the American Indian Council and the American Indian Graduate Students Association. He is also the youngest member requested to serve on the Navajo Nation Government Reconstruction Convention. Christopher is interested in energy, utilities, and Native American law.
Ashley Haith received her B.A. in Economics, cum laude, from ASU. Her interests include computers, travel, adventure novels and serving as a mentor for a youth of a single parent home through the Valley Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Phoenix. Currently, she is president of the John P. Morris Black Law Student Association, the Women’s Law Student Association and the Victims Legal Assistance Project. Ashley’s practice areas of interest are corporate law and family law.
Marci Martinez received her B.A. in Human Resource Management, magna cum laude, from ASU. Marci is a member of the Advocacy Program for Battered Women, the Chicano/Latino Law Students Association, the Christian Legal Society and Guardian Ad Litem. Marci is married to a member of the United States Air Force and is the proud mother of a 6 year-old daughter, Ariana. Marci is interested in commercial litigation and business law.
Ricardo Rodriguez received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to law school, Ricardo worked as a Lead Representative for Janus Mutual Funds, then as a Personal Banker for Wells Fargo Bank. Currently, he is a Pedrick Scholar, a CLEO (Council on Legal Education) scholar, a member of the Chicano/Latino Law Student Association and the American Bar Association Law Student Division. Ricardo’s practice areas of interest include criminal defense, immigration and legislative and government relations.
René Siqueiros received his B.A. in British Literature, magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona. René currently is a member of the Chicano/Latino Law Student Association, the Black Law Student Association and the National Lawyers Guild Law Student Association. Prior to attending the University of Arizona, René served in the United States Army as a Parachute Rigger Specialist/Airborne Soldier. René is interested in immigration and civil rights practice.
Fennemore Craig Attorneys Translate Judge's SB1070 Ruling in AZ Republic Sunday addition
Published Date: August 01, 2010
Material(s): Fennemore Craig, one of the leading law firms in the Southwest, announces that Steven R. Partridge has joined Fennemore Craig in an of counsel capacity, specializing in state and local tax matters. His practice includes appearing before the Arizona Tax Court, the appellate courts, and administrative boards on behalf of clients, as well as tax planning for use tax, transaction privilege tax and property tax. He also represents clients on tax policy issues at the Arizona Legislature.
He is the former Assistant Director of the Arizona Department of Revenue, where he managed the Property Tax Division. Subsequently, Mr. Partridge was an attorney with Gallagher & Kennedy. Mr. Partridge received his bachelor’s degree in 1970 from Arizona State University and his Juris Doctorate in 1974 from the ASU College of Law.
He joins the Fennemore Craig Tax Practice, chaired by Paul Mooney. This practice is the largest state and local tax practice in the state of Arizona.
July
Tim Berg comments on SB1070 Legal ChallengesPublished Date: July 30, 2010
Material(s): Fennemore Craig, one of the leading law firms in the Southwest, announces Michael J. Phalen has joined Fennemore Craig as a shareholder. Phalen practices real estate law, focusing on land use transactions that involve state and other government lands, as well as all aspects of land development such as, entitlements, zoning, condemnation, and governmental relations. Highly experienced in public land issues, Phalen is the former Assistant Attorney General in the Land and Natural Resources Section of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. His experience also includes serving as the Planning Director at the Arizona State Land Department where he managed all of the Department’s Land entitlement activities and interfaced with elected officials and planning and development staff in cities and counties around the state. Phalen also served as Acting Assistant Director of the Arizona State Land Department’s Planning and Disposition Division where he helped manage the Sales, Commercial Leasing and Right of Way Sections.
He represents clients, including master-planned community developers, single and multi-family residential developers, commercial and industrial developers, utilities, telecommunications companies, municipalities, land investors, commercial users, and school districts in issues concerning acquisition, use, development, and zoning of lands. Phalen’s practice is focused on representing clients before the Arizona State Land Department on real estate acquisition and development issues and before cities and counties on entitlement issues.
Before joining Fennemore Craig, which has one of Arizona’s largest real estate practices, he was a partner at the law firm of Quarles & Brady Streich Lang. Phalen is the Budget Officer on the Executive Council of the Real Property Section of the Arizona Bar Association. He is also a member of the California Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Arizona Planning Association. He served on the Mayor’s Ad Hoc Committee on Urban Growth and Desert Preservation for the City of Phoenix and is a member of Valley Partnership, the Urban Land Institute and Lambda Alpha International.
In 1980, Phalen received his B.A. from the University of Arizona and in 1984, he received his J.D. from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California.
Attorney David Heap makes Law Dragon's Most Powerful Employment Attorneys-ERISA Law List
Published Date: July 29, 2010
Fennemore Craig Attorneys Named to Mountain States Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
Published Date: July 29, 2010
Attorney John Balitis talks about workplace bullying on KFYI Radio
Published Date: July 26, 2010
Description: Listen to the interview using the links below:
Audio File 1 | Audio File 2
John Balitis' Profile | Labor and Employment
Farhang received his B.S. in Political Science at the University of Arizona in 1993 and his J.D. from the University of Denver, College of Law in 1997. Before joining Fennemore Craig, he practiced law with Rusing & Lopez in Tucson. He has represented both employers and employees in wrongful discharge and discrimination litigation; contract negotiations and arbitrations; workplace violence; employee privacy; wage claim litigation; sex, race and age discrimination; and other employment matters.
Brautigam advises clients on natural resources, water and environmental law, including compliance with the Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA, and land use regulations. Before joining Fennemore Craig, Brautigam was an attorney with the McElroy Law Firm in Seattle, Washington. She previously served as an Attorney Extern with the General Counsel’s Office of Natural Resources/NW of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Brautigam earned her B.S. in Marine Biology from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida in 1993. She received her J.D. from the Florida State University College of Law in Tallahassee, Florida in 1997. She subsequently completed her L.L.M. in Law & Marine Affairs from the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle, Washington in 2000.
John Balitis appointed to committee to study reversible lanes in Phoenix
Published Date: July 23, 2010
Description: Fennemore Craig attorney John Balitis has been appointed to a committee to study reversible lanes in Phoenix and comments on the situation to the Arizona Republic.
Attorney Nancy-Jo Merritt Discusses Comprehensive Immigration Reform on Channel 15
Published Date: July 23, 2010
Attorney Nancy-Jo Merritt Says Businesses Should be Prepared for SB1070
Published Date: July 23, 2010
Suzanne Diaz Appointed to Arizona State Bar Committee
Published Date: July 15, 2010
Marc Lamber talks to KFYI Radio about the Family Purpose Doctrine
Published Date: July 13, 2010
Description: To listen to the interview, use the links below
Audio File 1 | Audio File 2
Marc Lamber's Attorney Profile
Cranston and Benoit Join Fennemore Craig
Published Date: July 08, 2010
SB1070 discussed at Arizona Latino Media Association meeting at Fennemore Craig
Published Date: July 01, 2010
June
Attorney Don Miner comments on sale of Mesa Financial PlazaPublished Date: June 30, 2010
Don Miner comments on sale of landmark building in Mesa
Published Date: June 30, 2010
David Heap Named a Top ERISA attorney
Published Date: June 30, 2010
Glendale Municipal Airport's service center mired in financial, legal woes
Published Date: June 25, 2010
Fennemore Craig attorney John Balitis comments on U.S. Supreme Court ruling
Published Date: June 24, 2010
Description: Labor and employment lawyer John Balitis talks to the Phoenix Business Journal about the implications of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on the use of electronic devices in the workplace.
Fennemore Craig attorney John Balitis talks to KFYI Radio about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in a case involving employee use of electronic devices in the workplace
Published Date: June 24, 2010
Description: Use the links below to listen to the interview:
Audio File 1 -- Audio File 2
John Balitis' Profile
Client Augusta Resource Provides DEIS Timeline for Rosemont Copper Project
Published Date: June 22, 2010
Chambers and Partners USA gives Fennemore Craig high marks
Published Date: June 21, 2010
Description: 2010 Chambers and Partners USA ranks Fennemore Craig and attorneys highly in its annual guide
Fennemore Craig attorney Lori Higuera comments on company 'perks'
Published Date: June 15, 2010
Description: An employee is advised to know the company policy on 'perks' in Ask the Expert column.
Fennemore Craig attorney Tim Berg comments on SB1070
Published Date: June 14, 2010
Description: Broad wording of SB170 leaves Arizona's immigration law up for interpretation
Client Sinapis Pharma Sees New Use for Meth in Stroke, Brain Injury
Published Date: June 09, 2010
Description: Sinapis Pharma Inc. believes that it has a found a way to provide neuroprotection to stroke patients and those with traumatic brain injury using an unlikely benefactor – an intravenous, low-dose form of the neurotoxic drug methamphetamine.
Nancy-Jo Merritt comments on business concerns about SB1070
Published Date: June 07, 2010
Description: Businesses are asking questions about how to respond to SB1070. Fennemore Craig immigration attorney Nancy-Jo Merritt has answers.
Fennemore Craig attorney Nancy-Jo Merritt comments about SB1070 on KFYI Radio
Published Date: June 07, 2010
Description: Use the following links to listen the interview: Audio File 1 Audio File 2
Norman James Represents Arizona Cattle Growers Association on Spotted Owl Habitat in 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Published Date: June 07, 2010
Description: Fennemore Craig Natural Resources attorney Norman James represented the Arizona Cattle Growers' Association in a federal case focusing on the designation of critical habitat for the Mexican Spotted Owl.
Fennemore Craig named a Go-To Law Firm for Fortune 500 companies
Published Date: June 02, 2010
Description: Corporate Counsel magazine has named Fennemore Craig a Go-To Law Firm® for Fortune 500 companies in the area of litigation.
“We are most gratified to be named on this prestigious list. Inclusion on the list highlights Fennemore Craig’s commitment to service and responsiveness to clients,” said Timothy Berg, the firm's managing partner.
Corporate Counsel compiles its annual “go-to” law firm list by surveying in-house counsel at Fortune 500 companies to determine the primary law firms they use, and researching key databases such as ALM Legal Intelligence, LitigationMonitor™, Westlaw® and others. Criteria for selection as a Go-To Law Firm® includes being named as a “primary law firm” by a general counsel at a top 500 company in response to the survey, or being a law firm that was used two or more times in the practice area specified since 2008 and/or counseling the client with respect to a significant transaction.
The Go-to Law Firms™ list is published in Corporate Counsel’s yearly In-House Law Departments Top 500 Companies directory and other publications.
Lost Boy of Sudan goes home to reconnect with family
Published Date: June 01, 2010
Description: John Ruot, now an employee at Pitney Bowes, the company that provides support services to Fennemore Craig, was a lost boy of Sudan. He journeys home in June to reconnect with family he has not seen in nearly 20 years.
May
Thirty four Fennemore Craig attorneys make 2010 Southwest Super Lawyers listPublished Date: May 25, 2010
Description: Southwest Super Lawyers is a "credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys."
USCIS announces new "green card"
Published Date: May 14, 2010
Description: Beginning May 13th, all permanent resident cards will have a new look. According to USCIS, "state-of-the-art technology prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication of the card."
Arizona firm leaders comment on new immigration law
Published Date: May 10, 2010
Description: Leaders of Arizona-based law firms, including Fennemore Craig Managing Partner Timothy Berg, comment about SB1070
Fennemore Craig attorney Janna Day appointed to Arizona State Board for Charter Schools
Published Date: May 06, 2010
Description: Board supervises charter schools and recommends charter school legislation to the state Legislature Material(s): The 2003-2004 edition of The Best Lawyers in America recently named 28 Fennemore Craig lawyers to its list of honorees. The list included Jordan Green, who was recognized for appearing in Best Lawyers since the inception of the publication 20 years ago. Eight of the firm’s attorneys have appeared on the Best Lawyers list for at least 10 years.
The Best Lawyers honoree lists are compiled through a review survey in which thousands of the top lawyers in the U.S. confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Nationwide, only about 17,000 attorneys, or less than 3% of all attorneys in the country, are selected for this honor.
Jordan Green, chair of Fennemore Craig’s Litigation Section, practices in the area of criminal law representing businesses and individuals in criminal investigations and prosecutions. He is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Below is a complete listing of the Fennemore Craig attorneys who were honored in the 2003-2004 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
| Donald G. Blankenau (Lincoln) | Roger T. Hargrove | Don Miner |
| Timothy J. Berg | David N. Heap | Michael V. Mulchay |
| Timothy J. Burke | Norman D. James | Michael J. Pearce |
| Lauren J. Caster | James W. Johnson* | Jay S. Ruffner* |
| Louis F. Comus, Jr.* | Charles M. King | Stephen M. Savage |
| Richard T. Coolidge* (Tucson) | Anne L. Kleindienst | Kenneth J. Sherk* |
| C. Webb Crockett* | Jay S. Kramer | Cynthia L. Shupe |
| Rita Eisenfeld | Neal Kurn* | Ronald J. Stolkin* (Tucson) |
| Jordan Green** | William L. Kurtz | |
| Gregg Hanks | Karen Ciupak McConnell |
**Twenty Year Honoree
Fennemore Craig attorney Kendis Muscheid elected to American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel
Published Date: May 06, 2010
Description: Muscheid was one of two from Arizona to be elected this year.
Covault and Marconi join Fennemore Craig
Published Date: May 04, 2010
Material(s):
Fennemore Craig was recently honored with the 1999 Leadership Award at Valley Forward's 30th Annual Luncheon. During its Annual Luncheon, Valley Forward, a non-profit public interest organization, honors a local business for its outstanding contribution in affecting the quality of life in the Valley. "Fennemore Craig has long been committed to taking a leadership role on issues that affect life in the Valley," said Stephen M. Savage, Managing Partner. "We are pleased to be recognized by Valley Forward."
January 20, 2000
Sarah Strunk assists Augusta Resource with $43 million agreement with Red Kite.
Published Date: May 03, 2010
Description: Please view the Press Release by clicking here.
Related links: Fennemore Craig Mining Practice, Business and Finance Practice, Sarah A. Strunk Attorney Bio. Material(s):
Fennemore Craig, one of the largest law firms in Arizona, announced that Elizabeth M. Behnke, Susan M. Ciupak, Theresa Dwyer, Dewain D. Fox, John E. Kofron, Jeffrey S. Pitcher and Jay L. Shapiro have been elected shareholders and directors of the firm.
Elizabeth Behnke practices in the area of real estate transactions and commercial leasing. Susan Ciupak's practice involves estate planning. Theresa Dwyer practices in health care law, utilities regulation, administrative law and general civil litigation. Dewain Fox's practice concentrates in the areas of bankruptcy litigation, creditors' rights and commercial litigation. John Kofron practices in the areas of construction, real estate and government contracts. Jeffrey Pitcher's practice includes real estate finance and real estate transactions. Jay Shapiro practices in environmental and natural resources law and public utility regulation.
January 20, 2000
April
Fennemore Craig client Chef Beckett launches new restaurantPublished Date: April 21, 2010
Fennemore Craig attorneys Kofron and Rycraft weigh in on stimulus effects on construction projects
Published Date: April 20, 2010
Description: John Kofron and Dale Rycraft outline how construction projects may be affected by stimulus funding in Nevada Business Magazine. Material(s):
Fennemore Craig, legal counsel for the Official Unsecured Creditors' Committee of the jointly-administered Baptist Foundation of Arizona, Inc. bankruptcies, has launched a new page on the firm's web site aimed to keep more than 13,000 Baptist Foundation creditors up-to-date on the bankruptcy case developments. For regular updates and current information, creditors can go to www.fennemorecraig.com.
The new web page serves as a major mode of communication of the Official Committee with creditors and will be updated as new developments in the case arise. In addition, visitors to the site can opt to be notified via email when new updates are posted.
"Fennemore Craig is pleased to be able to help the Official Committee distribute accurate information to creditors in a timely, yet cost-effective manner," said Cathy Reece, Chair of Fennemore Craig's Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights practice group and lead counsel on the case. "The Internet's ease of accessibility speeds up communication with the creditors and allows immediate access to a reliable source."
The Official Unsecured Creditors' Committee was appointed by the United States Trustee's Office of the Department of Justice on November 22, 1999, and officially represents the unsecured creditors in the Baptist Foundation of Arizona (BFA) bankruptcies. The Official Committee is responsible for representing the views and needs of the creditors and working with the BFA entities to develop a plan for paying the creditors.
Steve Culp, co-chair of the Official Committee, said, "The Committee is dedicated to doing all it can to obtain and disseminate accurate information to the creditors. With this web page, we intend to provide information on the Official Committee's positions and actions, as well as provide answers to questions raised by creditors."
Will a lawsuit change the course of healthcare reform in Arizona? John Balitis weighs in
Published Date: April 05, 2010
Description: Attorney John Balitis comments on Arizona plans to sue over healthcare reform. Material(s):
Fennemore Craig, one of Arizona's oldest and largest law firms, announced that Sarah A. Strunk has joined the firm as a Director and Shareholder in the practice areas of corporate and securities, mergers and acquisitions and natural resources law.
Prior to joining Fennemore Craig, Strunk served as corporate counsel for Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, an international mining and processing company recently acquired by Phelps Dodge Corporation. Ms. Strunk represented the mining company in numerous asset and stock sales, including acquisitions and drafting and negotiating all major transactions, construction and engineering contracts on many multi-million dollar projects, served as a board member and acted as corporate secretary to foreign corporate subsidiaries. Strunk has extensive experience representing the marketing function in connection with their sale contracts and futures hedging transactions and in international business transactions.
Strunk received her B.A. (1982), magna cum laude, from Wichita State University, her J.D. (1985) from the University of Kansas School of Law, and her LL.M. (1987) from the New York University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Arizona, New York, California, Connecticut and Kansas.
John Balitis talks to Channel 3 about healthcare reform
Published Date: April 02, 2010
Description: Employment attorney John Balitis talks about healthcare reform on Channel 3. Material(s):
Timothy J. Burke has been appointed to serve on the State Bar of Arizona’s Task Force on the Future of the Profession, which is assigned to review the multidisciplinary practice (MDP) issue. Mr. Burke also has been reappointed by the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Section to serve as Chair of the Section’s Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee for the third consecutive year. Mr. Burke will speak as an ethics "expert" at the State Bar’s annual convention in June 2000.
March
Health care reform will affect size of businessesPublished Date: March 26, 2010
Description: John Balitis predicts health care reform insurance requirements will affect the size of businesses in a Phoenix Business Journal article. Material(s):
Fennemore Craig, one of Arizona's largest law firms, announced that Lee Stein has joined the firm in the criminal defense and environmental practice areas.
Prior to joining Fennemore Craig, Stein was Chief Counsel for the Civil Rights and Public Advocacy Division for the Arizona Attorney General's Office where he was responsible for creating a division that contained the Consumer Protection, Environmental Enforcement, Economic Competition and Civil Rights Sections.
Stein also worked as an Assistant United States Attorney where he prosecuted criminal fraud, public corruption, environmental and hate crime cases.
"Lee's experience with the Attorney General's Office and as an Assistant US Attorney is the perfect complement to Fennemore Craig's current practice mix," said Steve Savage, Chairman of the firm's Management Committee.
Stein received his B.A. from the University of Arizona and his J.D. from the Arizona State University College of Law.
John Balitis talks about Federal Health Reform on KTAR Radio
Published Date: March 25, 2010
Description: Audio File
John Balitis' Profile
Marlene Humbert comments on how Fennemore Craig works to retain employees in a tough economy
Published Date: March 25, 2010
Description: Marlene Humbert, Fennemore Craig's human resources administrator, explains how the firm works to retain its best employees for when the economy rebounds in the Phoenix Business Journal.
Recruiting Page Material(s):
Fennemore Craig was presented with a Quality of Life Award by the Maricopa County Bar Association Committee on Professional Development at a special ceremony on Wednesday, May 3, 2000.
Steve Savage, managing partner, accepted the award on the firm's behalf.
Quality of Life Awards recognize various law firms, public agencies and corporate legal departments that have put forth great effort in recognizing and promoting quality of life issues and programs for their attorneys and staff.
Initiatives at Fennemore Craig include extensive mentoring programs, flexible career tracks and job-sharing options for employees. Fennemore Craig also maintains a strong sense of community within the firm through programs like the employee-supported Fennemore Craig Foundation, which provides funding for charitable organizations as well as opportunities for employees and their families to contribute time and talent to worthy causes.
John Balitis comments on Federal Healthcare Reform on KFYI Radio
Published Date: March 24, 2010
Description: Audio File 1 | Audio File 2
John Balitis' Profile
Material(s): Fennemore Craig Attorney to Serve on State Bar Task Force and to Chair American Bar Practice Section for Third Consecutive Year Fennemore Craig, one of Arizona's oldest and largest law firms, announced that Timothy J. Burke was appointed to serve on the State Bar of Arizona's Task Force on the Future of the Profession. The Task Force was created to consider the issues of multidisciplinary practices in Arizona.
Mr. Burke also was re-appointed by the American Bar Association's Antitrust Section to serve as Chair of the Section's Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee for the third consecutive year. The Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee focuses on the increasing use of claims under state unfair competition statutes and common law business torts to challenge competitive conduct.
Tim Burke practices primarily in the areas of antitrust, business torts, litigation and professional responsibility. Mr. Burke formerly served as trial attorney and assistant to the Director of Operations in the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice.
John Balitis explains effects of federal healthcare reform
Published Date: March 24, 2010
Description: John Balitis explains how federal healthcare reform will affect businesses and employee benefits on KTAR Radio
Sarah Strunk on Mining Law Updates at RMMLF event July 22-24
Published Date: March 22, 2010
Description: View more information on Sarah Strunk
Fennemore Craig Shareholder Christopher Staring Appointed to Pima County Bench
Published Date: March 16, 2010
Material(s): Fennemore Craig, one of the largest law firms in Arizona, today announced that Richard Oney has joined the firm as a Director and Shareholder, and Steve Winkelman has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Oney will practice in Intellectual Property, Patent Law, Internet, and E-commerce Law. Winkelman will also practice in Intellectual Property, Internet, and E-commerce Law, as well as Trademarks, Branding, Domain Names, and Copyright Law.
Oney was formerly with the Weinberg Legal Group and previously had his own law firm, Oney Law Firm. He is a former director of the World Trade Center Arizona and is currently a member of the Maricopa County and American Bar Associations in the Intellectual Property, Business Law, and Litigation Sections. Oney is also a current member of the Intellectual Property and Business Law Sections of the State Bar of Arizona. He is a member of the Arizona Patent Law Association and a founding member and former director of the Arizona Software & Internet Association (formerly known as the Arizona Software Association).
Oney received his J.D. degree from Arizona State University, cum laude (1983) and his B.S.E.E., with high distinction from the University of Nebraska (1976).
Winkelman was formerly with the Weinberg Legal Group. He is a member of the Maricopa County and Federal Bar Associations and is a member of the Intellectual Property Section of the State Bar of Arizona, National Institute for Trial Advocacy, and International Trademark Association.
Winkelman received his J.D. degree from the University of Michigan, cum laude (1990) and his B.A., History degree from the University of Michigan (1985).
Gov. Jan Brewer Appoints Christopher Staring to Pima County Superior Court
Published Date: March 15, 2010
Material(s): Fennemore Craig, one of Arizona's oldest and largest law firms, announced that Susan McKenzie, Kristin M. O'Neil, and Darren E. Holmes have joined the firm as associates in the Phoenix office. Ms. McKenzie received her B.A. (1992) from the University of Minnesota, her J.D., cum laude (1997) from Seattle University School of Law, and her L.L.M. in Taxation (1998) from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a member of the American and Massachusetts Bar Associations.
Prior to joining Fennemore Craig, Ms. McKenzie served as Senior Tax Consultant, International and Corporate, at Deloitte & Touche LLP, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her non-legal experience includes serving as Senior Benefits Specialist, Safety Training Specialist, and Environmental Coordinator for Coors Brewing Company. Ms. McKenzie will continue her practice in tax and business law.
Ms. O'Neil received her B.A. (1993) from Indiana University, and her J.D., magna cum laude (1997) from Indiana University School of Law. She is a member of the Arizona and California Bar Associations.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. O'Neil practiced in California at the law firms of Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold and Dickson, Carlson & Campillo. Ms. O'Neil will practice in tort litigation, professional liability, and commercial litigation law. Mr. Holmes received his B.A. (1993) from California State Polytechnic University, and his J.D., cum laude (1996) from Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas, Texas. He is a member of the Texas Bar Association.
Prior to joining Fennemore Craig, Mr. Holmes practiced in Texas at the law firm of Baker & Botts, LLP. Mr. Holmes will practice in commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and creditors' rights law.
John Balitis talks to KFYI about text message privacy
Published Date: March 09, 2010
Description: Audio File 1 | Audio File 2
John Balitis' Profile
Material(s):
Fennemore Craig, one of the largest law firms in Arizona, announced that James D. Burgess, Scott Altes and Mary Beth Phillips have been elected shareholders and directors of the firm, effective January 1, 2001.
Mr. Burgess is a litigation attorney practicing primarily in criminal defense, personal injury, business torts, and commercial litigation. He received his B.S.F.S. (1986) from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and his J.D. (1993) from the Georgetown University Law Center.
Mr. Altes practices primarily in the areas of commercial and tort litigation. He received his B.A. (1990) in political science, summa cum laude, from the University of Houston, and his J.D. (1993), with honors, from the Duke University School of Law.
Ms. Phillips practices primarily in the areas of labor and employment law and commercial litigation. Ms. Phillips received her B.A. (1990), Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Georgia and her J.D. (1993) from Harvard Law School.
John Balitis Talks to KTAR About Privacy of Texting
Published Date: March 09, 2010
Fennemore Craig and North Florida Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel Present an ACC Value Challenge Event
Published Date: March 05, 2010
Material(s):
Fennemore Craig, one of the largest law firms in Arizona, announces that Charlie Stevens has joined the firm as Of Counsel in the Legislative Counsel, Government Affairs, Administrative Law, Estate Planning and Probate practice areas. Susie Stevens-Matthews has joined the firm as an Associate in the Governmental Relations, Environmental Law, and Administrative Law practice areas.
Prior to joining Fennemore Craig, Stevens was President of Stevens & Leibow, P.C. Along with Stevens-Matthews he served as Legislative Counsel to the Western States Petroleum Association, State Bar of Arizona, City of Phoenix, Arizona State Compensation Fund, Arizona Credit Union League, Arizona Library Association, Arizona Physical Therapy Association, Arizona Kidney Foundation, Arizona Psychological Association and The Polk Company. He is currently a member of the State Bar of Arizona where he was awarded the Member of the Year Award in 1997 and the Award of Special Merit in 1993. Stevens has served as Judge Pro-Tem for the Maricopa County Superior Court since 1977 and was President of the Maricopa County Bar Association in 1973.
Stevens received his J.D. degree from Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (1958), and his undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University (1953).
Stevens-Matthews was formerly with the Stevens & Leibow, P.C. law firm. Prior to private practice, she interned for the Arizona Legislative Council and the Arizona Supreme Court. She is a member of the State Bar of Arizona and the Maricopa County Bar Association.
Stevens-Matthews received her J.D. degree from Arizona State University (1996) and her undergraduate degree in psychology from Arizona State University (1992).
John Balitis comments on spike in sexual harrassment claims
Published Date: March 04, 2010
Description: Audio File 1 | Audio File 2
John Balitis' Profile
Kofron and Vermeire Article Warns of Strings Attached to Stimulus Funds
Published Date: March 01, 2010
February
Lori Higuera Comments on Workplace DisruptionPublished Date: February 18, 2010
John Balitis Talks to KFYI Radio About Proposed Arizona Senate Bill 1242 Regarding Labor Strikes
Published Date: February 16, 2010
Description: Click links below to listen:
Audio File 1
Audio File 2
Fennemore Craig Named a Finalist for the 4th Annual Turnaround Awards
Published Date: February 15, 2010
Material(s):
Sixteen attorneys with Fennemore Craig have been named "The Best Lawyers in America, 2001-2002" (published by Woodward/White).
This year's ranking included listings for approximately 15,000 lawyers in 27 specialties of law in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.
The Fennemore Craig attorneys listed are: Louis F. Comus, Jr., Trusts and Estates; Jordan Green, Criminal Defense; Kenneth J. Sherk, Business Litigation; Ronald J. Stolkin, Labor and Employment Law; David T. Cox, Tax Law; Steven M. Savage, Corporate Law; C. Webb Crockett, Public Utility Law; Richard T. Coolidge, Banking Law; Anne L. Kleindienst, Franchise Law; David Heap, Employee Benefits Law; Rita Eisenfeld, Trusts and Estates; Cynthia L. Shupe, Employee Benefits Law; and Lauren J. Caster, Natural Resources Law. The following attorneys were listed in two categories: James W. Johnson, Environmental Law and Natural Resources Law; Neal Kurn, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates; and Jay S. Ruffner, Entertainment Law and Health Care Law.
Tim Berg Discusses CityNorth Decision on Channel Eight's Horizon
Published Date: February 02, 2010
Stimulus Dollars: Contractor Friend or Foe?
Published Date: February 01, 2010
January
Supreme Court of Arizona rejects Gift Clause Challenge to "CityNorth" AgreementPublished Date: January 25, 2010
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Link to Phoenix Business Journal Article
Link to Official Arizona Supreme Court Decision
In an opinion filed on January 25, 2010, the Arizona Supreme Court reversed and vacated the opinion of the Arizona Court of Appeals in Turken et al. v. Gordon et al., which had invalidated a retail sales tax incentive agreement between the City of Phoenix and NPP CityNorth, L.L.C., the developers of the massive North Phoenix mixed-use project known as "CityNorth."
In Turken, a group of City of Phoenix taxpayers filed suit against the City seeking to invalidate an agreement between the City and a developer under which the City agreed to rebate a certain portion of all new retail tax revenue generated by the project for a limited time, in exchange for the developer's agreement to build the project in the time, place, and manner desired by the City. The trial court rejected the taxpayers' claims, but the Court of Appeals reversed, holding that by providing an economic incentive to build the project, the agreement violated the Gift Clause, which prohibits government entities from making gifts or "subsidies" to private parties."
The Supreme Court granted the City's Petition for Review, and subsequently reversed and vacated the Court of Appeals' decision. In so doing, the Court clarified the requirements that must be satisfied for an agreement to pass muster under the Gift Clause, and specifically upheld the City's agreement, holding that even if the agreement violated the Gift Clause, any change in law occasioned by its opinion should be applied prospectively only. Although the Supreme Court remanded the case for consideration of various arguments not reached by the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court's opinion represents a significant victory for municipalities throughout Arizona by preserving their ability to enter into retail sales tax incentive agreements, rejecting the inherently subjective analytical framework adopted by the Court of Appeals, and clarifying the requirements such agreements must satisfy under the Gift Clause.
Timothy Berg, Andrew Federhar, Theresa Dwyer-Federhar, and Scott Shelley represented the City of Phoenix in Turken v. Gordon, Supreme Court case No. CV-09-0042-PR. Material(s):
Lauren J. Caster of Fennemore Craig, one of Arizona's largest law firms, has been elected to a three-year term on the Council of the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources. The Council is the governing board of the 9,800-member Section.
Caster served as Chair of the Section's Water Resources Committee from 1999-2001. Before holding that position, he was a Vice Chair of that Committee for a number of years performing a variety of assignments. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law, and has practiced with Fennemore Craig for 25 years.
Fennemore Craig is one of the largest law firms in Arizona. Founded over 115 years ago in Phoenix, the firm has more than 140 attorneys in Phoenix, Tucson and Nogales.
Janna Day Comments on Supreme Court's Ruling on Campaign-Finance Rules
Published Date: January 25, 2010
The Arizona Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel and Fennemore Craig are pleased to present Defining and Delivering Greater Value for Clients in 2010
Published Date: January 19, 2010
Doug Northup to Speak at 2010 Council on Litigation Management Conference
Published Date: January 11, 2010
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Phoenix-based law firm Fennemore Craig, P.C. expanded its water-related practice by adding Donald G. Blankenau to its ranks. Blankenau is former General Counsel, Assistant Director, and Interim Director of the Nebraska Department of Water Resources, and has experience in interstate water disputes. He staffs a recently-opened office in Lincoln, Nebraska, which will focus principally on water-related work, including water right litigation and counseling, and compliance with endangered species and water quality laws.
Fennemore Craig has been involved in water litigation and counseling within Arizona for nearly a century. It is the oldest law firm in the state, and one of the largest with more than 140 attorneys. Its main office is in Phoenix, with additional offices in Tucson and Nogales.
Firm President Stephen M. Savage was enthusiastic about adding Blankenau to the firm's natural resources staff: "Don brings unique experience to our natural resources practice. As the importance of secure water supplies becomes increasingly apparent across the Nation, we want to be positioned to assist clients in achieving their objectives. We already had extensive background in the water right field. Don contributes expertise based on his involvement in interstate water disputes."
Leung and Dahu Join Fennemore Craig
Published Date: January 06, 2010
December
John Balitis comments on Arizona's "guns in parking lots" lawPublished Date: December 24, 2009
Dale Rycraft Provides Counsel to Client Steve Wyrick in Ford Mustang Illusion Production
Published Date: December 17, 2009
John Balitis discusses employee retention bonuses with KFYI News
Published Date: December 16, 2009
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November
Jessica Catlett talks about the GINA Act with KFYI Radio.Published Date: November 30, 2009
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View Jessica Catlett's Profile Page
Jessica Catlett Comments on the GINA Act
Published Date: November 30, 2009
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Phoenix Business Journal Article
AZCentral.com Article
John O'Connor remembered fondly by family, friends and colleagues
Published Date: November 12, 2009
Loss of Former Partner John O'Connor Mourned
Published Date: November 11, 2009
Janna Day explains Red Flag Rules on KFYI Radio
Published Date: November 09, 2009
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Gerald Shelley joins Fennemore Craig’s Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights Practice
Published Date: November 06, 2009
October
John Balitis Comments on Executive Pay Cuts on KFYI RadioPublished Date: October 23, 2009
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Sarah Strunk , Counsel to Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority Profiled
Published Date: October 22, 2009
John Balitis Comments on Federal Crackdown on Employers Regarding H1N1 Virus
Published Date: October 21, 2009
William Garehime joins Fennemore Craig in Denver.
Published Date: October 15, 2009
Cathy Reece Named to Turnaround Management Association Board
Published Date: October 14, 2009
Fennemore Craig client Mira Villa opens luxury condominium project in Las Vegas
Published Date: October 09, 2009
Tim Berg argues City North case before AZ Supreme Court
Published Date: October 05, 2009
Three attorneys join Fennemore Craig’s Phoenix office
Published Date: October 05, 2009
Gina Masterson Joins Fennemore Craig in Denver
Published Date: October 01, 2009
September
John Balitis Interviewed on Arizona's new guns in workplace lawPublished Date: September 28, 2009
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John Balitis Comments on Workplace Violence on KFYI Radio
Published Date: September 23, 2009
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Dale Rycraft joins Fennemore Craig
Published Date: September 22, 2009
John Balitis Talks About Implications of H1NI flu on Businesses on KFYI Radio
Published Date: September 09, 2009
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April
Client Tim Cory, Chapter 11 Trustee for HDB, LLC and its Mira Villa Project featured in Las Vegas mediaPublished Date: April 30, 2009
Description:
- http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/apr/17/lenders-give-project-new-life/
- http://www.lvrj.com/business/42573812.html
- http://www.lvrj.com/real_estate/43218727.html