Best Lawyers in Arizona, United States for Appellate Practice
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Appellate specialist Thom Hudson has decades of experience with hundreds of appeals in state and federal courts on a broad range of topics, including state and federal constitutional issues, torts, contracts, insurance bad faith, Indian law, and punitive damages. Among other things, Thom’s appellate work has helped to secure gaming rights for tribal nations, protect voter registration rights for individuals, protect judges’ pensions rights, safeguard Arizona’s implied home w...
Diane M. Johnsen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Environmental Law. Diane M., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Diane M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Andrew Pappas is a nimble advocate and trusted counselor whose practice focuses on appeals, complex commercial disputes, and governmental and regulatory matters. Before joining Osborn Maledon, Andrew served as general counsel of the Arizona House of Representatives, where he was the principal legal advisor to the Speaker and members of the majority caucus. In that capacity, Andrew provided legal, policy, and strategic advice on a vast range of issues, with a particular focus on elections, red...
Kathi Sandweiss, a former award-winning television journalist, now enjoys a combined arbitration and appellate practice. She is a partner at Jaburg & Wilk, P.C., where she has practiced law over 30 years. Since 2016, Kathi has been an active commercial arbitrator on the roster of the American Arbitration Association. Her AAA cases have included complex asbestos trust claims, franchise agreements, service agreements, landlord/tenant disputes, emergency injunctive relief in a cannabis dispu...
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...
Brian Holohan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants and Litigation - Insurance. Brian, 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 Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Helen R. Davis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Family Law. Helen R., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Helen R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Joe Roth is a member of the firm’s litigation group. Joe’s practice focuses on governmental investigations and litigation, complex commercial litigation, and appeals. Joe represents governmental agencies and officials, companies, and individuals in litigation and when being investigated by federal and state agencies. He also maintains an active complex commercial litigation practice, with a focus on securities and antitrust. Appeals are a significant part of Joe’s practice. ...
Zoey Kotzambasis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Zoey, who practices law in Tucson, Arizona, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Zoey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Karl J. Worsham is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Karl J., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Karl J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Brandon’s legal experience includes representing clients in commercial, appellate, and election litigation. In addition, a substantial portion of Brandon’s practice includes representing Native American tribes in a variety of matters, including contract, constitutional, water, and federal Indian law matters. Before joining Osborn Maledon, Brandon completed clerkships at both the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and the Arizona Court of Appeals. Through his clerkship...
Jordan Buckwald is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Jordan, who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jordan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Matthew P. Hoxsie is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Matthew P., 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 Matthew P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
John’s practice focuses on appeals, complex civil litigation, and government and regulatory matters. In state and federal court at both the trial and appellate level, John has worked on a wide range of matters involving elections, state and federal constitutional law, property law, statutory interpretation, contract law, and professional liability matters. In his government and regulatory law practice, John often represents governments and private parties in high-profile disputes. John ...
Payslie represents companies and individual, institutional, and tribal clients in complex litigation across state, federal, and tribal courts at both the trial and appellate levels. Her practice encompasses a wide range of issues, including constitutional challenges, water rights adjudication, class action claims, tribal law, appellate advocacy, criminal defense, trust litigation, and other complex commercial and civil rights disputes. Payslie has substantial trial experience in Arizona&rsquo...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.