The Cavanagh Law Firm, P.A.

Attorney Benjamin J. Branson

Bar Admissions:

• State of California
• Eastern District of California
• State of Arizona
• District Court of Arizona
• State of Utah

Education:

• New York University (Departmental Honors, B..A.A. 2000)
• Whittier Law School, (summa cum laude, 2010)
  
  • Whittier Law Review – Published Member
  • Moot Court Honors Board
  • Dean’s Citation for Outstanding Service to the Institution

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation, President/Board Member, June 2006 – present.
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsels – Board member from 2018 to present.

Attorney Nicholas J. Brown

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2019

Education:

• Arizona State University (J.D., magna cum laude, 2018)
• University of California at Berkeley (B.A. Linguistics 2009)
  
  • William H. Pedrick Scholar
  • Order of the Barristers
  • Order of the Coif
  • First Place – 2018 Ralph Spritzer Oral Argument Competition
  • CALI Awards in Family Law, Community Property, ADR/Employment, and Professional Responsibility
  • Arizona State Law Journal, Arizona Issue Editor
  • Moot Court Board, Problem Drafting Committee, Member

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona, Young Lawyers Division, District 4 Representative, 2019 – 2021
• State Bar of Arizona, Young Lawyers Division, President-Elect, 2021 – Present
• Maricopa County Bar Association, Member, 2015 – Present
• Lorna Lockwood Inn of Court, Member, 2018 – Present

Languages Spoken:

• Spanish

Attorney Parker C. Bunch

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2017

Education:

• University of Arizona (J.D., cum laude, 2017)
  
  • Arizona Law Review
• Point Loma Nazarene University (B.A. magna cum laude, 2014)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Serves on Board of Directors

Attorney James G. Busby Jr.

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 1996
• Utah, 1997

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona, Tax Law Section, Past Chair
• State Bar of Arizona, Tax Law Section, Legislative Liaison
• State Bar of Utah, Member
• Arizona Legislature’s Property Tax Appeals Study Committee, Member
• Arizona Tax Research Association, Board Member
• Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants, Arizona Tax Liaison, Tax Legislative Committee, Past Member of Board of
• Directors
• Arizona State Board of Accountancy, Law Review Advisory Committee, Past Member
• Streamlined Sales Tax Business Advisory Council, Member
• Phoenix Tax Advisory Board, Member
• American College of Tax Counsel, Fellow since 2017
• Boy Scouts of America, Assistant Varsity Coach
• Boy Scouts of America, Former Venturing Crew Advisor
• Dayspring Preschool and Kindergarten, Past Board Member

Attorney Kelton G. Busby

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2003
• Utah, 2004

Education:

• Brigham Young University (J.D., 2003)
• Brigham Young University (B.S., 2000)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona
• State Bar of Utah
• American Bar Association
• The Harmonie Group
• J. Reuben Clark Law Society
• Boy Scouts of America

Attorney Levi T. Claridge

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2015
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2015

Education:

• University of Arizona, (J.D. cum laude, 2015; B.A. cum laude, 2012)
• Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law, Note and Comment Editor
  
  • Dean’s List, all semesters
  • CALI Awards in Regulation and Antitrust
  • Students of Arizona Health Law
  • J. Reuben Clark Law Society

Attorney Helen R. Davis

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 1997
• U.S. District Court, Arizona, 1997

Education:

• Arizona State University (J.D., cum laude, 1997)
• Arizona State University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1994)
  
  • Order of the Coif
  • Order of the Barristers
• William H. Pedrick Scholar, 1997
  
  • Jurimetrics Journal, Senior Articles Editor
  • Chair and Member, Moot Court Board
  • Co-winner Best Oral Advocate of Class
  • Writing Instructor
• Arizona State University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1994)
  
  • Phi Beta Kappa

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona, Executive Council for Family Law Section, 2001-present; Past Chair, 2007-2008; Past Member CLE Committee
• State Bar of Arizona, Certified Family Law Specialist, Maricopa County Bar Association, Family Law Section
• American Bar Association, Past Member of the Continuing Education Committee
• American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow, 2014-present
• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), Board Member, 2008-present
• Arizona Women Lawyer’s Association, Past Chair, 2005; Past Member of Steering Committee
• Marriage and Family Communications Committee, Arizona Legislature, appointed by Governor Napolitano
• Quadrennial Child Support Guidelines Review Committee (appointed by the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court), Member 2008-2009, Past Member of the Economic Workgroup Subcommittee of the Child Support Guidelines Review Committee, 2007-2008
• Restyling of the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure (appointed by the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court), Member, 2017-present
• Desert Cancer Foundation of Arizona, Board Member, 2010-2014; President Elect, 2011-2012; President, 2012
• Daughters of Penelope
• East Valley Community Board Member Dignity Health, Chandler Regional Medical Center, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, 2012-present
• Liaison from the East Valley Community Board to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Community Board, 2015-2016

Attorney William M. Demlong

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 1989
• Nevada, 2011
• New Mexico, 2017
• U.S. Supreme Court, 2000
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 1989
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, 2003
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1989
• U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico, 2019

Education:

• University of Texas (J.D., with Honors, 1988)
• Arizona State University ( B.S., Accounting, with Honors, 1982)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Bar Association
• Arizona Bar Association
• Nevada Bar Association
• New Mexico Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• International Claims Association
• Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Lawyer Representative, 2003 – 2007
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Chair, Lawyer Representative, 2006 -2007
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, Chair, Magistrate Selection Committee, 2007, 2009
• The Centers for Habitation, Board Member, 1999 – 2005
• The Centers for Habitation, Vice-Chairman, 2003
• Tempe Communities in Schools, Board Member, 1999 – 2001
• City of Tempe Police Department, Reserve Police Officer, 1994 – 2001
• Tempe Leadership, President, 1997 – 1998
• Tempe Leadership, Board of Directors, 1994 – 1999
• Tempe Leadership, Member of Class IX, 1993 – 1994
• Chances for Children, 2005 – 2011
• Certified Public Accountant, Texas

Attorney Philip C. Gerard

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 1973

Education:

• Drake University (J.D., 1973)
• Coe College (B.A., 1968)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American College of Trial Lawyers
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Certified Specialist Domestic Relations, Arizona Board of Legal Specialization
• State Bar of Arizona
• American Bar Association
• Maricopa County Bar Association

Attorney Kerry M. Griggs

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 1995

Education:

• Washington University (J.D., 1995)
• Brigham Young University (B.S., summa cum laude, 1992)
• Golden Key National Honor Society
• Hinckley Scholarship
• Presidential Scholarship

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona
• Maricopa County Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• The Harmonie Group
• American Sand Association

Attorney Steven J. Gross

Education:

• Arizona State University (B.A., Economics, summa cum laude, 2002; J.D., cum laude, 2005)
  
  • Arizona State Law Journal
  • Arizona State Bar Tax Scholarship. 2005
  • William H. Pedrick Scholar

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Trucking Insurance Defense Association
• CPCU Society
• AADC-YLD Board of Directors, 2008-2010
• Mended Little Hearts Pediatric Heart Charity, 2012-2015

Attorney Chrisanne Gultz

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2018
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2019

Education:

• Arizona State University, (J.D., 2017)
• Arizona State University (B.S., magna cum laude, 2014)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• Phoenix Zoo’s Wildest Club in Town

Attorney Christina S. Hamilton

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 1984

Education:

• University of Illinois (J.D., cum laude, 1984)
• Butler University (B.S., cum laude, 1981)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona
• Maricopa County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• The Trial Law Institute
• Litigation Counsel of America
• Board member and past President of the Arizona Family Planning Council
• Arizona Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
• National Charity League
• National Academy of Family Law Attorneys
• American Academy of Trial Attorneys Premier 100 designation, 2015
• Member, Diversity Law Institute
• Barrister, Order of Centurions

Attorney William P. Haynes

Bar Admissions:

• Kansas, 2021
• Arizona, 2022

Education:

• The University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., with distinction, 2021)
• Washburn University (B.A. summa cum laude, 2018)

Attorney Timothy R. Hyland

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona
• U.S. Supreme Court
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona
• Arizona State Courts

Education:

• University of Arizona (J.D. with High Distinction, 1985)
• Grand Canyon College, (B.A. Behavioral Science and Government with High Distinction, 1982)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Board of Trustees, All Saints’ Episcopal Day School
• Arizona Supreme Court Chair of Committee on Character and Fitness (2008-2009); Committee on Character and Fitness (2002-2009); Judicial Performance Review Team (2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012)
• American Bar Association Delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates (2001-2009); Delegate YLD Assembly (1992-1996); Fellow of the American Bar Association Member, TIPS Section
• Arizona State Bar Association Board of Governors Member (1995-1996); Member, Appellate Section
• Arizona State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division; Arizona YLD President (1995-1996); Executive Council (1992-1997)
• Maricopa County Bar Association; Maricopa County Bar Association Board of Directors (1992-1993; 1994-2001)
• Maricopa County Young Lawyers Division MCBA/YLD President (1992-1993); Board of Directors (1988-1994)
• Foundation For Legal Services and Education; Fellow of the Foundation LRE Committee (1999-2009)
• Maricopa County Superior Court Hearing Officer Selection Committee (2000-2002); Maricopa County Civil Study Committee (1990-1991)
• Legislative Intern to the Chairman of the Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives, Arizona State Legislature, 1982
• Legislative Intern to the Chairman of the Committee on Transportation, House of Representatives, Arizona State Legislature, 1982

Attorney Bradley J. Johnston

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 1994

Education:

• Cornell University (J.D., 1994)
• Brigham Young University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1991)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona
• Maricopa County Bar Association
• Board Member, Maricopa County Bar Construction Section
• Member, International Association of Defense Counsel

Attorney Victoria (Tori) Kelly

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2019

Education:

• University of Kansas (B.A., with Distinction, 2016)
• Arizona State University (J.D., 2019)
  
  • William H. Pedrick Scholar

Attorney Phillip E. Lapointe

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2019

Education:

• University of Iowa (J.D., 2019)
  Luther College (B.A. cum laude, 2016)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona
• Maricopa County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, President-Elect 2022

Attorney Richard W. Mear

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2006
• Arizona District Court, 2006

Education:

• University of Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 2006)
  
  • Graduated in top 20% of class
  • Participated in ATLA Trial Advocacy Team
  • Dean’s List
• Brigham Young University (B.A., 2003)
  
  • Golden Key Honor Society

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• The Harmonie Group
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
• J. Rueben Clark Law Society
• Board of Directors, Valley Youth Theatre
• Varsity Scout Coach, Cub Master Boy Scouts of America

Attorney Cassandra V. Meyer

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2001
• California, 2001
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona
• Southern District Court of California
• Northern District Court of California
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Education:

• California Western School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2000)
  • California Western Law Review/International Law Journal, Executive Board Member and Notes and Comments Editor
• University of Arizona (B.A. cum laude, 1998)
  • Gamma Sigma Alpha
  • Phi Eta Sigma
  • Phi Alpha Delta (Treasurer, 1998)
  • Order of Omega
  • Golden Key Mortar Board Senior Honors
  • Pro Bono Honors Program and Sophistor Program

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona
• The Harmonie Group, Board of Directors, 2015-present, President-Elect, 2019-2020, President 2021-Present
• Arizona Women’s Lawyers Association (AWLA)
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel (AADC)
• Maricopa County Bar Association

Attorney Steven Plitt

Education:

• University of Connecticut (L.L.M., Insurance Law, With Honors, 2012)
• University of Arizona (J.D., With Distinction, 1982)
• Arizona State University (B.S., summa cum laude and ‘with honors’, 1978)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

•  American Law Institute
• American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel
• Arizona Insurance Institute
• Insurance Litigation Reporter, Senior Contributing Editor and Editorial Board Member, 2006 – present
• Claims Journal, Editorial and Advisory Board member, 2012 – 2014
• Claims Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), Certified Litigation Management Professional (CLMP)

Attorney Jordan R. Plitt

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2010
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2010

Education:

• Arizona State University (J.D., cum laude, 2010; B.S. Finance, summa cum laude, (2007)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• American Association of Defense Counsel
• Arizona Insurance Law Institute Co-Chair

Attorney Terry L. Rakow

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 1973

Education:

• University of California (J.D., 1973)
• California Lutheran University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1970)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona

Attorney Sharon D. Ravenscroft

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 1987 

Education:

• University of California (J.D., 1987)
  • International Law Journal
• Wellesley College (B.A, cum laude, 1984)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona
• Maricopa County Bar Association, Board of Directors, Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section, 2002-2005
• Supporter of Desert Botanical Gardens; Heard Museum; Phoenix Art Museum; Phoenix Zoo; Boys and Girls Club 

Attorney M. Scott Rowan

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2020

Education:

• Brigham Young University (B.S. 2017)
• UCLA School of Law (J.D. 2020)

Attorney Jennifer L. Sellers

Bar Admissions:

• Missouri, 2007
• Arizona, 2009
• Illinois, 2006
• Missouri, 2007
• Arizona, 2009
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona 2010

Education:

• St. Louis University (J.D., 2006)
  • National Moot Court Team for Saint Louis University School of Law
  • Judge Robert G. Dowd, Sr. Award for Appellate Advocacy
• University of Illinois (M.S. in Taxation, 2003)
  • General Assembly Scholar
• Southern Methodist University (B.B.A. and B.A., magna cum laude, with honors in business and liberal arts, 2002)
  • University Scholar
  • Robert H. Stewart Scholar

Attorney Karen C. Stafford

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona

Education:

• Arizona State University 
• Arizona State Law Journal, Research Editor
• Ottawa University, Phoenix, AZ
• Northern Arizona University 

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona
• Defense Research Institute
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel

Attorney Loren A. Suddes

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2011
• United States District Court, Arizona, 2011

Education:

• Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, (J.D., magna cum laude, 2011)
  • Order of the Coif
  • William H. Pedrick Scholar
  • John J. Ross Award for Excellence in Business Courses
  • Jurimetrics:  The Journal of Law, Science & Technology, Topic and Production Editor
• Arizona State University (B.S., summa cum laude, 2006)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Claims & Litigation Management (CLM) Alliance, Certified Litigation Management Professional (CLMP)
• Defense Research Institute (DRI), Member
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Member
• Maricopa County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors (2015-2018)

Attorney Andrea Swan

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2021

Education:

• Michigan State University (J.D., magna cum laude, 2021)
• Arizona State University (B.S. Accountancy, cum laude, 2018)

Attorney Debora L. Verdier

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 1997
• United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
• United States District Court of Arizona
• United States District Court of Colorado

Education:

• Arizona State University (B.S. Political Science/Philosophy, 1992)
• Arizona State University (J.D., 1997)
• Writing Instructor (1995-1996)
• National Moot Court Team, Member (1996-1997)
• ASU Law Journal, Member/Editor (1996-1997)
• Women Law Student’s Association, President (1996)
• Outstanding Woman of the Year, Women Law Student’s Association (1997)
• CALI Award – Federal Courts
• CALI Award – Employment Law

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona
• International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
• Professional Liability Underwriters Society (PLUS), Southwest Chapter, Steering Committee Member (2013-2019), Chapter Chair (2017-2018)
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Attorney Elliot H. Wernick

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 1993
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1997
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1995
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1993
• Arizona, 1993 

Education:

• Arizona State University (J.D., cum laude, 1993)
  • Associate Note and Comment Editor, Arizona State Law Journal, 1992 – 1993
  • Truman Young Prosecutorial Fellowship, 1992 – 1993
  • Willard H. Pedrick Scholar
  • American Jurisprudence Award, Trusts and Estates, 1993
  • Legal Research and Writing, Honors
• University of California (B.A. 1990)
  • Provost’s List

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Arizona
• Maricopa County Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Board Member, 2005 – 2011
• Co-Chair of Pro Bono Disciplinary Committee, Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, 2005 – 2011
• International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy, Participant, 2002
• ASU College of Law, Judge – Moot Court and Closing Argument Competitions
• Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education/Young Lawyers of Arizona, Judge – Arizona High School Mock Trial State Tournament, 2001
• Maricopa County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Judge – Essay Writing Competition for Law Week, 2001 – 2001

Attorney John K. Wittwer

Bar Admissions:

• Arizona, 2006
• U.S. Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona

Education:

• Arizona State University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2006)
  • Associate Managing Editor, Arizona State Law Journal
  • Pedrick Scholar
  • Couch Fellow, 2004 (assisted in revision of Couch on Insurance treatise)
  • Pro Bono Distinction
  • Student Editor, Advanced Insurance Research class (supervised other students’ research)
• Brigham Young University (B.A., Economics, magna cum laude, 1997)
  • Teaching Assistant – Intermediate Macroeconomics, Public Finance

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Claims & Litigation Management (CLM) Alliance, Certified Litigation Management Professional
• Board of Directors, Arizona Association of Defense Counsel (AADC)
• Southwest Chapter Steering Committee, Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS)
• Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Committee, Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• Chair, Arizona State Bar Technology Advisory Group

Languages Spoken:

• Finnish

Office Locations