Best Lawyers Near You in Phoenix, Arizona for Litigation - Labor and Employment
Mark Ogden has litigated more than 500 employment lawsuits to conclusion, mostly in federal court, and has litigated 23 jury trials to verdict. Among his notable litigation successes are cases involving: Discrimination on the basis of religion, age, and disability Breach of contract issues Whistleblower claims He also provides employment training to employers of all sizes and regularly speaks on a variety of topics before a wide range of professional organizations. Mark is co-chair of the fir...
Melissa L. Shingles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Melissa L., 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 Melissa L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Yijee Jeong is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Yijee, 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 Yijee is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lori Guner is an associate in the Phoenix office. Lori represents employers in a variety of labor and employment matters. She is experienced in advising clients on general employment issues and drafting employment, independent contractor, and non-compete agreements. Lori earned her J.D. from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in 2014. While there, she was Senior Research and Development Editor of the Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law. During law school...
Laura Grubb is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor and Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Laura, who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Aaron Duell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Aaron, 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 Aaron is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jacqueline F. Langland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor and Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jacqueline F., 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 Jacqueline F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
A successful litigator, Ashley’s Arizona experience centers on resolving or litigating business disputes, real estate, and employment matters while practicing at another Arizona law firm. She is well versed in navigating litigation from discovery through trial. Prior to starting private practice, Ashley began her legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in California, prosecuting a wide variety of misdemeanor and felony crimes. During her four-year tenure, she was an active trial atto...
J. Alexander Dattilo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor and Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. J. Alexander, 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 J. Alexander is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Chrisanne Gultz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Chrisanne, 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 Chrisanne is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kris Leonhardt is an associate in the firm’s Phoenix office. She focuses her practice on defending employers against a wide range of employment law claims, including disability, race, age, and sexual harassment, retaliation, and unlawful termination of employment. Kris earned her J.D., cum laude, (2008) from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, where she was a Pedrick Scholarship Recipient, worked for the Arizona Justice Project and participated in ...
Ricardo Bours is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor and Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Ricardo, who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ricardo is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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 ...
Mr. Mason counsels employers and management on all aspects of labor and employment law, including collective bargaining and union organizing; restrictive covenants; employment discrimination; sexual harassment; whistleblowing; retaliation; wrongful termination; personnel policies; reductions in force; trade secrets; duty of loyalty; drug and alcohol testing; and other state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. He is also an experienced litigator, representing clients in Arizona, federal,...
Mr. Balitis counsels private sector clients as well as government agencies, including the Arizona legislature, on a broad range of employment law and labor relations matters. Over his 30 years of practice, he has represented clients in administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), U.S. Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Arizona Civil Rights Division, Arizona Industrial Commission, Arizona Department of Occupational Safety and He...
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.