Patrick "Pat" Derdenger

Howard Cabot is widely recognized nationally as a leading courtroom lawyer in complex and sophisticated litigation, including antitrust, securities, intellectual property and class actions. His experience extends to state and federal court matters, as well as emergency injunctions, jury and non-jury trials, and appeals. His jury trials have ranged from several days to as long as six months. He also teaches trial advocacy, evidence and professionalism as an adjunct professor at the Sandra Day ...

Hannah concentrates on commercial litigation and has represented clients in a wide variety of areas such as breach of contract and fiduciary duties, fraud, business ownership disputes, construction litigation, and product liability. Prior to joining Gallagher & Kennedy, Hannah was a law clerk for Justice Robert M. Brutinel of the Arizona Supreme Court, where she worked on a multitude of legal issues, including issues concerning the Arizona and U.S. Constitutions, statutory interpretation ...

Cathy Knapp is a partner at Frazer Ryan Goldberg & Arnold LLP in Phoenix and practices in the areas of estate planning, planning for closely held businesses and tax-exempt organizations, and probate and trust administration. She is also an Arizona licensed certified public accountant (CPA). Cathy's practice focuses on representing: individuals and families in structuring trusts, LLCs, limited liability partnerships and other entities to maximize the transfer of property to the next genera...

Keith A. Olbricht is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Keith A., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Keith A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer J. Understahl is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Jennifer J., 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 Jennifer J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Senior partner and Best Lawyers® honoree Lisa Reilly Payton focuses her law practice on estate planning, tax planning, and federal and state tax controversy. Lisa is a popular speaker and has appeared multiple times on the Emmy Award-winning talk show The List. Lisa's estate planning experience includes helping individuals, couples, and business owners identify their planning options and tailoring their choices to their unique situations and goals. In guiding her clients through the plann...

Karl A. Freeburg has a broad-based practice in the area of corporate finance and commercial transactions. Karl's practice includes the representation of borrowers and lenders in all types of asset-based and real estate secured financings. He also has wide-ranging experience assisting clients in the documentation and negotiation of a variety of contracts. Karl brings a practical, results-oriented approach to the representation of his clients. Karl takes pride in accomplishing his clients' obje...

Melissa (Mel) Soliz is a partner with Coppersmith Brockelman, PLC in Phoenix, Arizona. Her regulatory health law and consumer data practice focuses on compliance with data privacy, security, access and interoperability laws (such as HIPAA, 42 C.F.R. Part 2, the ASTP/ONC Information Blocking Rule, CMS interoperability mandates, ASTP/ONC data/certification, and state health confidentiality and consumer data privacy laws), health information networks/exchanges (HIN/HIEs) (including TEFCA, Carequ...

John E. Cummerford focuses his practice on the legal and business needs of established and emerging growth companies, with an emphasis on software, Internet, hardware and related businesses. He advises a wide range of clients in regard to technology-related transactions, including software licensing, product development, eCommerce, co-marketing, OEM and other arrangements. He has broad experience in complex licensing, manufacturing, distribution, development, due diligence and intellectual pr...

Mark practices commercial litigation and co-chairs the firm’s appellate practice section, handling civil appeals in the state and federal courts. For 25 years, he has represented clients in a wide variety of areas, including business torts and contracts, securities fraud, trade secrets, employment, professional malpractice, officer and director liability, and real estate litigation. Mark has been named a Best Lawyer by the Best Lawyers in America since 2009 , and is also recognized by A...