Colleen Goodell Knecht

Pamela Overton has been the chairman of the firm's Phoenix Litigation Practice since the office opened in 1999. She has also been a member of the firm's National Executive Committee since 2002, and was appointed to the National Litigation Steering Committee in 2008. Pam previously served as Vice Chairman of the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device & Health Care Litigation Practice, having represented Fortune 500 companies such as Medtronic, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis and ZLB Behring LLC, Lorillard To...

Appeals Eric regularly handles high-profile appeals and issue litigation. He has argued major cases before the Ninth Circuit, Arizona Supreme Court, and Arizona Court of Appeals. Eric is listed in Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under Hot List, Best Lawyers, and Southwest Super Lawyers for appeals. Before joining private practice, Eric clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He currently serves as a Ninth Circuit Appellate Lawyer Representative and as Chair Elect for ...

As an attorney and certified public accountant, Erik focuses his practice in all areas of federal tax law, with an emphasis on partnerships, limited liability companies, C and S corporations, real estate, international taxation, and civil tax controversy. He provides tax planning, structuring, and documentation for business and individual clients, including joint ventures and tax-exempt organizations. Prior to joining Gallagher & Kennedy, Erik was a Manager in the Washington National Tax ...

Lawrence D. Hirsch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Lawrence D., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lawrence D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Monica M. Ryden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Monica M., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Monica M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer Cranston (formerly Ratcliff) focuses her practice in three primary areas: real estate disputes involving condemnation and valuation issues; insurance coverage analysis and bad faith litigation; and public utility regulation. Jennifer’s objective is to provide sound legal advice, exceptional service, and cost-effective resolution for all her clients. She has successfully negotiated favorable settlements, as well as prevailed for clients at hearings, in arbitrations, at trial, an...

Stacey L. Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Stacey L., who practices law in Glendale, Arizona, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stacey L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Karen C. Stafford is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Insurance. Karen C., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Karen C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mary has commanded a robust career guiding legal issues that have left lasting impacts on government authority, election campaign finance and election law. As a former Solicitor General for the State of Arizona, she has a mastery of public law issues and has led an extensive set of complex, high-profile lawsuits and appeals in state and federal courts. Her experience handling this complex litigation positions her well to get to the core of the issue in a dispute and provide critical strategic...

Mr. Clees represents employers throughout the United States in discrimination and wrongful discharge cases and labor relations. He also counsels clients on a wide array of state, federal and tribal compliance laws. Mr. Clees has been singled out by Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers as one of the top labor and employment law attorneys in the country for many years in a row and as a Chambers USA Top Leader in his Field. He has been applauded for his “integrity and common sense&...