James "Jim" Rees

John is the owner of Skabelund, PLLC. His practice focuses on asset protection. Utilizing various tools, he enables his clients to protect their wealth from lawsuits while also reducing federal estate taxes and promoting family harmony. His clients are typically real estate investors, business owners, executives, high profile professionals (doctors, lawyers, professional athletes, actors, etc.), or have inherited/won a large sum of money. However, John is not a typical lawyer. As a previous a...

Ms. Acken focuses her practice in labor and employment law. She has defended numerous companies in gender, race and disability discrimination cases in state and federal court. Ms. Acken also has wide-ranging experience representing both public and private entities in EEOC claims, wage payment/overtime, wrongful termination, Davis-Bacon, and state and federal leave issues. She also currently serves as the Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Acken was ...

Ryan McPhie is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice. Ryan, who practices law in Mesa, Arizona, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shaleen Brewer has handled a variety of transactional corporate, real estate, and employment matters on behalf of her clients. Shaleen has a diverse general business practice that includes structuring, negotiating and documenting commercial contracts of all varieties and corporate planning, formation and governance; asset protection and risk management; stock and asset sales and acquisitions; corporate dissolutions; and counseling companies on day‐to‐day operational and business matters for b...

Stephen Best is member of Buchalter’s Litigation practice group in the Firm’s Scottsdale office. Mr. Best represents a variety of companies in general civil litigation matters, including construction companies, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals in claims involving construction defects. He further represents various individual clients through his trust and estates litigation practice. Mr. Best has achieved successful outcomes for many of his clients, including su...

Steven M. Fox is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Steven M., who practices law in Scottsdale, Arizona, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alan S. Baskin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Securities Regulation. Alan S., who practices law in Scottsdale, Arizona, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alan S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Buzzi L. Shindler is the Litigation Chair of the Scottsdale office. He has extensive experience and tried-and-true expertise handling a broad range of commercial, transactional and litigation matters, with an emphasis on real estate and business transactions, business formation, governance and operations, estate planning, outside general counsel, and commercial, real estate and construction litigation.

Brian Mueller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Real Estate. Brian, who practices law in Scottsdale, Arizona, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard K. Walker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Richard K., who practices law in Scottsdale, Arizona, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.