I am a life-long Arizona resident. I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, where I double majored in rhetoric and social science with an emphasis in legal theory. I earned my law degree from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law the where I was a member of Arizona Law Review and served as an extern to U.S. District Court Judge Hon. Richard Bilby.
I have been litigating personal injury and wrongful death cases, specializing in medical malpractice cases, for 25 years. I am a board- certified specialist in personal injury and wrongful death litigation. I have successfully tried many cases to verdict. I am a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, both leading, peer-reviewed invitation-only associations of experienced trial lawyers and judges. I am rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, indicating my peers rank me at the highest level of ethical and professional excellence. Since 2016, I have been recognized annually by Best Lawyers in America for my work in personal injury cases, most recently as Lawyer of the Year for 2022. Since 2015, I have been recognized annually by Southwest Super Lawyers for my work in medical malpractice cases. Since 2007, I have served on the faculty of the State Bar of Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, Arizona’s premiere trial lawyer development program, where I substantially redeveloped the curriculum as co-chair of the College over 8 years. Since 2007, I have also served on the State Bar of Arizona Civil Practice and Procedure Committee, its leading committee responsible for drafting and reviewing the rules governing the way civil cases are litigated, and have led many of its subcommittees.
Education
- University of Arizona College of Law, J.D. 1996
- Arizona Law Review, Writer
- Extern to Hon. Richard Bilby, U.S. District Court
- American Bar Association, Law Student Division
- National Board of Governors 1995-96
- School Representative 1994-96
- Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
- School President 1995-96
- University of California at Berkeley, B.A. 1991
- Double Major in Rhetoric and Social Science
- NCAA Men’s Swimming Team
- Kappa Sigma Fraternity
Bar Admissions
- All Arizona Courts
- United States District Court, District of Arizona
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States Supreme Court
Honors and Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation
- 2022 Lawyer of the Year – Phoenix
- 2016-Present
- Arizona Association for Justice
- 2022 Volunteer of the Year
- Super Lawyers, Medical Malpractice
- 2015-Present
- State Bar of Arizona, Certified Specialist, Personal Injury and Death Litigation
- 2014-Present
- Phoenix Magazine, Top Attorneys in Arizona
- 2014-Present
- Arizona’s Finest Lawyers (Association Dissolved)
- 2014-2018
- North Valley Magazine, Top Personal Injury Lawyer, 2013
- Arizona Foundation for Legal Services, Top 50 Pro Bono Lawyers, 2013
- Arizona Business Magazine, Top Attorneys in Arizona, 2012
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent
- 2011-Present
- Avvo 10.0 Superb,
- 2010-Present
- Arizona Attorney Magazine, Top 10 Verdicts in Arizona, 2008
- American Bar Association, Silver Key, 1996
Appointments
- Statewide Taskforce on Jury Selection, Workgroup, 2021
- Maricopa County Superior Court, Judge Pro Tempore, 2013-Present
- State Bar of Arizona, College of Trial Advocacy
- Co-Chair, 2010-2018
- Faculty, 2007-Present
- State Bar of Arizona Civil Practice and Procedure Committee, 2007-Present
- Rule 16.3 Subcommittee, Chair
- Rule 35 Subcommittee, Chair
- Rule 57 Subcommittee, Chair
- Rule 7.1 Subcommittee, Chair
- Rule 37 Subcommittee, Chair
- Rule 30 Subcommittee, Chair
- Rule 17 Subcommittee, Chair
- Tax Rules Subcommittee, Chair
- State Bar of Arizona, Fee Arbitrator
Professional Associations
- American College of Trial Lawyers, 2021-Present
- American Board of Trial Advocates, 2014-Present
- Phoenix Chapter President, 2022
- Phoenix Chapter Vice President, 2020-2021
- Phoenix Chapter Treasurer, 2019
- Phoenix Chapter Board, 2016-Present
- American Association for Justice, 2000-present
- Arizona Association for Justice, 2000-present
- Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court, 1998-present
- Membership Chair 2012-2016
- Maricopa County Bar Association, 1996-present
- The National Trial Lawyers, 2007-2016
- American Bar Association, 1996-2013
Published Decisions
- Keggi v. Northbrook Property and Cas. Ins. Co., 13 P.3d 785 (Ariz. App. 2000)
- Childress Buick v. O’Connell, 11 P.3d 413 (Ariz. App. 2000)
Published Works
- Advocate, Elimination of Preemptory Challenges, 2022
- Advocate, Taking on a Medical Malpractice Case, 2019
- Advocate, Settling a Minor’s Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Claim, 2018
- Advocate, Major Changes Coming to the Rules, Again!, 2018
- Advocate, Major Changes to the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, 2017
- Arizona Attorney, The Limits of the Cooperation Clause, A Primer, March 2016
- Advocate, Rule 7.1 – Use it Wisely, 2016
- Advocate, Civil Practice and Procedure Rules Update, 2014
- Advocate, Trial Lawyers are Certifiable, 2013
- Advocate, 2012 Amendments to Rules Affecting Civil Practice, 2012
- Advocate, Recent Amendments to the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, 2011
- Advocate, Changes to the Rules Governing Civil Practice and Procedure, 2010
- Advocate, Recent Amendments to the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, 2009
- Advocate, Recent Amendments to the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, 2008
Teaching and Presentations
- American College of Trial Lawyers Bootcamp, Direct Examination, 2022
- Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Civility Matters, 2021
- Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court, Medical Malpractice Perspectives, 2021
- State Bar of Arizona Convention, Medical Malpractice Roundtable, 2020
- State Bar of Arizona, Daubert and Expert Witnesses, 2020
- State Bar of Arizona, Civil Rules Update, 2020
- Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court, Ethics and ER 5.4, 2020
- Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, Litigation Strategies, 2018
- Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Civility Matters, 2017
- Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, Damron Agreements, 2017
- Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court, An Evening of Ethics , 2016
- State Bar of Arizona, Professionalism Course, 2015-Present
- Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, Civil Practice-Rules Update, 2014
- Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court, Ethics Night at the Movies, 2014
- Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court, Ethical Issues in Cinema, 2013
- Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court, Supreme Court Jeopardy, 2012
- Medical Malpractice 101, 2012
- State Bar of Arizona, College of Trial Advocacy, 2008-Present
Pro Bono/Community Activities
- Maricopa County Superior Court – Settlement Advisor
- Channel 12 Lawyers on Call
- Maricopa County Volunteer Lawyers Program
- All Saints’ Episcopal Day School Dad’s Club, Chairman
