Clark L. Derrick

Clark L. Derrick

Phoenix, AZ recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007
Burch & Cracchiolo PA

21 Best Lawyers awards

Burch & Cracchiolo PA logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: General Practice Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Biography

Clark L. Derrick began his legal career in Phoenix in 1972 after having graduated, with distinction, from the University of Arizona, College of Law and entering into the practice with John J. Flynn and the firm of Flynn, Kimerer, Thinnes & Derrick. While a student at the University of Arizona, College of Law, Clark was Symposium Editor of the Arizona Law Review and was elected a member of the Order of the Coif. He received his undergraduate, Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968 from the University of Arizona; graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.Clark is a certified criminal law specialist; devoting his entire practice to criminal defense work with a particular emphasis on white collar offenses at both the federal and state levels. He is licensed to practice in Arizona and in various federal courts throughout the United States including the United States Supreme Court.Clark was appointed a lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference and served in that capacity from 1988 until 1991. He was a member of the Executive Council of the Criminal Justice Section of the Arizona State Bar and served on the Arizona State Bar Criminal law Advisory Commission from 1993 through 2005. He is one of the founding members of Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice and served as President of that organization for two (2) terms from 1988 to 1990.Clark is a Fellow and Past President of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, an invitation only national organization of the preeminent criminal defense lawyers in the country. He is currently listed in the white collar criminal defense and non-white collar criminal defense sections of the Best Lawyers in America, Southwest Super Lawyers, is listed in Best Lawyers in Phoenix, Top Attorneys in Arizona, Arizona’s Finest Lawyers, and has an “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbell.
Burch & Cracchiolo PA

21 Best Lawyers awards

Burch & Cracchiolo PA logo

Overview

  • Spanish

  • The University of Arizona, J.D., graduated 1972

  • Arizona, 1972

  • Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice - Founding Member, President
  • Arizona Board of Criminal Lawyers - Fellow
  • Arizona Board of Criminal Lawyers - Past President
  • Arizona State Bar Criminal Law Advisory Commission - Member
  • Arizona State Bar Executive Council of Criminal Justice Section - Member

  • United States Supreme Court
  • Spanish
  • Arizona, 1972
  • Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice - Founding Member, President
  • Arizona Board of Criminal Lawyers - Fellow
  • Arizona Board of Criminal Lawyers - Past President
  • Arizona State Bar Criminal Law Advisory Commission - Member
  • Arizona State Bar Executive Council of Criminal Justice Section - Member
  • The University of Arizona, J.D., graduated 1972
  • United States Supreme Court

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Criminal Defense: General Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Criminal Defense: General Practice
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice, Phoenix (2024)
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice, Phoenix (2022)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Awards:
  • Best Lawyers in America
    Southwest Super Lawyers
    Best Lawyers in Phoenix
    Top Attorneys in Arizona
    Arizona's Finest Lawyers

Additional Information

  • State Bar of Arizona Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense

To become a certified specialist in criminal law, the Arizona attorney must show that during a specified period, the attorney devoted at least have of his or her time spent in the full-time practice of law to "matters in which issues of criminal law are significant factors." During those five years, the attorney must have served as principal counsel of record in at least 125 additional criminal matters. During the application period, the attorney must describe with particularity the cases that the attorney handled that involved exceptional complexity or resulted in an exceptional result.
The attorney must "demonstrate honesty, integrity, professionalism as defined by the Lawyer’s Creed of Professionalism of the State Bar of Arizona…." The attorney must also show a high degree of competence in the practice of criminal law including an understanding of the substantive law and rules of practice, procedure, evidence and ethics pertaining to criminal law. The attorney must show a high degree of skill, thoroughness, preparation, effectiveness, professionalism, and judgment in the field of criminal law. The attorney must pass a written examination on criminal law topics. The names of the attorneys that apply to become a certified specialist in criminal law will be published in a State Bar of Arizona publication. Other attorneys in the community are then provided with an opportunity for comment for at least 30 days before consideration of applications by the Advisory Commission. Before becoming a board-certified specialist in criminal law by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, the attorney must complete a certain number of continuing legal education (CLE) seminars concentrated in substantive criminal issues and professional responsibility.

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