Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

I was born and raised in Wyoming. I started Cates, Hanson, Sargeant & Rakestraw, PLC in 1997 and I am currently the managing partner. I practice primarily in the area of Criminal Defense. I travel throughout Arizona representing clients in various criminal matters, including Murder, Manslaughter, Negligent Homicide, Assault, Aggravated Assault, all drug crimes including transportation for sale of large quantities of cocaine and marijuana. I travel to Kingman, Yuma, Prescott, Holbrook, Bisbee, Flagstaff. any court in Ariozna.

A graduate of Arizona State University College of Law, attorney Joseph McDaniel began his legal career as a judicial clerk for the Bankruptcy Court before opening his own practice in 1980. Recognized as a Certified Specialist in Bankruptcy Law by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, he is one of fewer than 30 attorneys in the state who hold this designation. Attorney McDaniel is also an AV peer-review rated lawyer*, the highest rating available for legal ability and professional ethics.

AVVO has awarded Mr. McDaniel a 10.0 rating, which is the highest rating given to practicing lawyers.

Over the course of his career, Mr. McDaniel has represented debtors and creditors, both large and small. He draws upon extensive knowledge, experience and skill to represent his clients and takes pride in delivering tailored solutions that meet the needs of each individual client. Mr. McDaniel is a published author and frequent speaker on bankruptcy law topics, and he has been an active leader and member of various professional associations ranging from the American Bankruptcy Institute to the Bankruptcy Section of the State Bar of Arizona to the American Bar Association Bankruptcy Committee for the General Practice Section.

OUR FIRM IS A DEBT RELIEF AGENCY. AMONG OTHER SERVICES, WE HELP INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY CODE.

I grew up in Winona, Minnesota. I received my undergraduate degrees at Indiana University-Bloomington (B.A. History and B.S. Music). My clients like me because I am results-oriented, and I am able to come up with practical and efficient solutions to difficult situations.

My father died when I was 16, and my mom was in a very difficult financial situation as a result. Both of my parents had been business owners, but once my father passed away, my mom was not able to juggle everything. The result was financial hardship and several years of my mom working two full-time jobs simultaneously. I want to use my personal experiences to help families avoid financial losses and family discord when a loved one dies.

Avery Crossman has been exclusively practicing Arizona Worker's Comp law since 1994. She is a State Bar Board Certified Worker's Compensation Specialist, past Co-Chair of the State Bar Worker's Comp Law Section, and current President of the Arizona Association of Lawyers for Injured Workers. She has served as a faculty member at the State Bar Seminar on Professionalism, has spoken at seminars on Worker's Compensation sponsored by the Industrial Commission of Arizona and is serving as a Judge Pro Tempore appointed by the Arizona Supreme Court.

Ms. Crossman has been given an "AV" Martindale-Hubbell Review Rating. According to Martindale-Hubbell, this ranking is a "testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence." An attorney cannot receive this ranking until he or she has been admitted to the bar for 10 years or more.

Mark Breyer has been practicing law with his wife, Alexis, since 1996. They, from the start, have only focused on injury and wrongful death cases.

Mark is a certified specialist in injury and wrongful death law. This distinction has been awarded to him by the State Bar of Arizona. Less than 2% of attorneys have this distinction.

Mark also has received the highest possible ranking from Martindale Hubbell, a renowned legal source for over 100 years. This award symbolizes the highest legal ability and highest ethics.

Mark lvoes to go to trial and fight for the little guy. Breyer Law Offices is known for taking cases to trial and winning. Mark settles most of his cases but the insurance companies know that he is ready for the fight. Breyer Law Offices strives to help the little guy against the big insurance companies.

Clark Watkin has been a trial lawyer for over 30 years, representing clients throughout Arizona with the expertise, sound judgment and "street sense" acquired "in the trenches" as a trial attorney. He began his career as a felony prosecutor and has spent the balance of his career handling complex civil cases in the State and Federal Courts. He is dedicated to providing his clients prompt, professional, courteous and fairly-priced services, direct attorney-client communications, and something even more important -- results.
Individualized strategies

Every client and every matter - from serious personal injury accidents and wrongful death claims, to commercial litigation involving business, real estate and construction lawsuits - receives an individual assessment and analysis, along with a litigation strategy custom-designed to fit the facts, and satisfy the client's goals.

As owner of her own boutique immigration firm, Ms. Lee has experience with family- and employment-based immigration. She is a graduate of Princeton, Cornell, and Howard Universities. Her interest in immigration was sparked through international study at a Japanese University in Tokyo; an international ex-pat assignment in Paris, France; and marriage to an immigrant to the U.S. Ms. Lee served for five years as Corporate Counsel with The Procter & Gamble Company holding responsibilities in labor and employment law, trademarks and copyrights, intellectual property licensing, and advertising law. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Nathaniel R. Jones (now retired) of the U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit and has taught Business Associations as an adjunct professor with Phoenix School of Law. Prior to opening her immigration firm, Ms. Lee served as an immigration attorney with Littler Mendelson, P.C. and with Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, where she helped facilitate the legal movement of foreign national employees of multinational companies into the U.S. for business travel; confirmed U.S. visa eligibility, and prepared petitions for temporary business visits, work, and training. She coached client employees in preparation for Consulate interviews and/or in response to security checks; collaborated with a corporate client to develop its internal immigration processes and recommended solutions to immigration issues at the employee, Consulate, and country levels. She researched and drafted briefs in response to U.S. government requests for additional evidence of visa petitions and created and delivered immigration training for client managers and employees.

ABOUT OUR FIRM: Our expertise and integrity have earned us a reputation as a premier boutique legal firm representing clients in California and Arizona.

Our consistent track record of uncompromising ethics instills confidence and trust. We use cutting edge technologies that allow us to respond quickly, and give you the most relevant information and perspectives.

We enjoy working as a team with tax, insurance, valuation and financial specialists and can facilitate any transaction with your existing advisors or recommend an appropriate professional with the expertise your business matter requires. This ability to work flexibly and as a team gives the Lotzer Law Group, PC an edge when dealing with complex legal matters.

ABOUT TRISHA LOTZER: After ten years of practicing corporate law, both in house and in a law firm, Ms. Lotzer formed her own practice because she knew that by owning and operating her own business she could be more effective in helping her clients. Ms. Lotzer has the unique ability to relate to clients as fellow business owners and understand their needs and concerns. The Lotzer Law Group, PC has allowed Ms. Lotzer to fully realize her passion for working with clients and for helping her clients operate their businesses at the highest level.

Ms.Lotzer is active in a number of professional organizations including the Arizona Bar Association and the California Bar Association. Her public service includes the Arizona Bar Pro Bono Wills for Heroes Program and the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team, with whom she recently volunteered for three weeks in Texas to assist clients in the wake of Hurricane Ike.

Our attorney is also the author of a series of continuing education seminars for business owners and legal professionals including Winning Practice, which she is co-producing with San Francisco 49ers tight end, Brian Jennings.

Trisha treats every client with respect and integrity and is valued for her sound advice, solid experience and strong skill set.

Edward O. Comitz, Esq. heads the Health and Disability Insurance Practice Section at Bonnett Fairbourn Friedman & Balint, P.C., a firm that has earned a national reputation for prosecuting claims on behalf of individuals based on fraud and unfair business practices in the insurance and healthcare industries. His Arizona practice focuses on the cities of Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, and Yuma.

Mr. Comitz has extensive experience in disability insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, representing physicians and other professionals in reversing denials of their disability claims. Mr. Comitz has also represented institutional and individual clients in complex litigation matters involving antitrust, business torts, class actions, corporate and partnership matters, fraud, securities, breach of non-compete and anti-solicitation agreements, unfair competition and receiverships. He has received an AV-rating by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory predicated on his legal expertise and professionalism. In addition, Mr. Comitz has been named a southwest Super Lawyer by Law and Politics. The rigorous selection process included 18,000 attorney ballots, followed by creation of a candidate pool, extensive peer evaluation and final selection. Only the top 5% of the total lawyers in Arizona and New Mexico were selected.

Mr. Comitz and other members of the Firm have served as lead or co-lead counsel on several high-profile consumer protection cases, including Grant v. Arthur Andersen, L.L.P. et al., the securities fraud and consumer class action arising out of the collapse of the Baptist Foundation of Arizona. In those proceedings, class counsel and others reached settlements totaling $238 million, including a $217 million settlement with Arthur Andersen relating to its role as auditor for BFA. The $217 million settlement with Arthur Andersen is the largest settlement amount ever paid by a Big Five accounting firm not associated with the savings and loan crisis, and twice the settlement amount Arthur Andersen has ever agreed to in settlement of an auditing claim. In addition, Mr. Comitz has worked on trial teams in multi-billion dollar antitrust litigation involving key participants in the satellite communications industry. Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Comitz was associated with the international law firm, Squire Sanders & Dempsey, L.L.P.

Mr. Comitz is a member of the State Bar of Arizona and the Maricopa County Bar Association. In addition to his pro hac vice appearances, Mr. Comitz is admitted to practice in the State of Arizona; and the U.S. District Court, Districts of Arizona and Colorado. Mr. Comitz is an adjunct professor at Arizona State College of Law. He received his B.A. in journalism, magna cum laude, from Creighton University and his J.D., cum laude, from Seattle University, where he was a Merit Scholar and Associate Editor of the Law Review.

high profile and complex criminal cases; handled a variety of cases including, but not limited to, misdemeanor and felony DUI's, sale and possession of drugs, child abuse, sex assault, attempted murder, fraud and theft, probation violations, and aggravated assaults; handled thousands of criminal cases and conducted over 75 trials including numerous jury trials involving misdemeanor, serious felony and dangerous felony charges

"DEDICATED TO GIVING A VOICE TO THOSE SERIOUSLY INJURED
OR KILLED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF OTHERS"

Robert H. Kleinschmidt earned his B.S. degree in 1979 from the University of Illinois and his J.D. degree in 1982 from the John Marshall Law School. With 25 years of litigation experience, he is an accomplished trial attorney who focuses his practice in the areas of Medical Malpractice, Birth Injury, Surgical Error; and other serious injuries caused by the negligence of others. He has a passion for children and served for several years as the Chairman of the Board of Gompers Rehabilitation Center, a rehabilitation center for seriously disabled children and adults.

He is a published author with The Arizona Trial Lawyers Association on "The Right to Videotape Depositions". He is a member of the State Bar of Arizona; the Maricopa County and Scottsdale Bar Associations; The American Association for Justice (formerly known as The Association of Trial Lawyers of America) where he is a member of the Birth Trauma Litigation Group, Professional Negligence Group, and the Nursing Home Litigation Group; the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association; and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum - Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM. He has created new law in the State of Arizona and has several reported cases used in legal journals.

Personal Service

Mr. Kleinschmidt's office is conveniently located off of the 101 and Via de Ventura in Scottsdale, Arizona. From the first telephone call to our office and throughout your case, you will receive the personal attention of Mr. Kleinschmidt and his staff. Unlike other offices where you speak with an associate, you will speak with and have direct contact with Mr. Kleinschmidt. He will be available to answer all of your questions concerning your case. We understand the personal, emotional, and financial stresses that are put on families when a loved one is injured and we will be with you every step of the way. We pride ourselves on our personal service to our clients. We also understand that no two cases are alike and because of that, we have a strong network of experts and consultants who are preeminent in their fields who can testify regarding the exact issues in your case. Unlike other firms, your case is personal to us and Mr. Kleinschmidt has a unique perspective because he spent the first five (5) years of his practice defending those he now pursues for negligence. He understands how the "other side" thinks and is ready to meet every challenge presented.

Our clients continue to be our best references:

"Our paths united together in a journey of belief and determination. . . . Your ongoing dedication, belief, sincerity and determination has done more than any words can describe." K.B.

". . . thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you've done for me and my familyâ¦.You were more than just my lawyer, but also a very warm and caring person too. . . .I'll never forget all you've done." R.D.

"No words can express my thanks to you for all the hard work, dedication and kindness you've shown. I will always remember you...Keep doing what you did for me for others...." C.E.

Our office is results based. Below are some representative cases handled by our firm.

Medical Negligence and Malpractice

- Negligent injection of air during cardiac catheterization causing severe brain damage

- Obstetric negligence - tear from vagina to anus of breech infant while in mother's uterus during delivery

- Delay in diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease resulting in death

- Misdiagnosed infection leading to leg amputation

- Failure to diagnose testicular cancer

Birth Injury And Trauma

- Many birth trauma cases involving severe brain injuries

- Uterine rupture resulting in fetal death

- Uterine rupture resulting in brain damage to child

Surgical and Anesthesia Errors

- Simple appendectomy on middle-aged man, resulting in profound brain injury due to anesthesia negligence/error

- Surgical error - cautery gun next to oxygen tank causing flash fire to patient's face

- Surgical error - heart net left inside patient causing cardiac arrest

- Plastic surgical error - botched abdominoplasty causing open, gaping football sized abdominal wound

- Physician contaminated anesthesia medication causing severe reaction and near death to several patients

Child Injuries - (In addition to many birth trauma cases involving brain injuries)

- Misdiagnosis of infection (Pseudomembranous Colitis) in a 10-year old child, causing death

- Pediatric negligence - misdiagnosed hole in heart resulting in infant death

- Dog bite - 10 year old child mauled by pit bull

Drug Related Injuries

- Contamination of the drug L-Tryptophan resulting in schlerederma and auto-immune disease

Automobile/Trucking/Motorcycle Accidents

- Automobile accident resulting in multi-level spinal fractures

- Trucking accident - C-4 quadriplegia and brain injury from the sideswipe of a semi-truck

- Motorcycle accident - 38 year old Native American resulting in neck fracture

- Automobile accident resulting in brain hemorrhage of an 18 year-old student


The Law Office of Robert H. Kleinschmidt, P.C represents clients throughout the State of Arizona including: Phoenix; Glendale; Peoria; Avondale; Goodyear; Litchfield Park; Scottsdale; Tempe; Mesa; Chandler; Gilbert; Queen Creek; Tucson; Nogales; Yuma; Kingman; Lake Havasu; Winslow; Page; Safford; Flagstaff; Prescott; and Prescott Valley.

Craig J. Rosenstein is an honors graduate of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 2002. Following his undergraduate education, Mr. Rosenstein went on to receive his Juris Doctorate degree at Arizona State University Law School. During his time at ASU, Craig was an active member in Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and clerked for one of the Arizona State Legislators from May, 2003 until August, 2004, while he simultaneously clerked for a solo practitioner until graduating from law school in 2006. After passing the Arizona State Bar in October, 2006, Craig was made name partner of the law firm for which he was working. There he competently handled all of the firms’ business law, civil litigation and DUI defense cases.

Mr. Rosenstein is licensed to practice law in Arizona, as well as the Federal District Courts of Arizona. He is also an active member of various professional organizations, including the State Bar of Arizona, Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (AACJ), the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the National College for DUI Defense, Inc., the American Association of Justice, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, the Legal Committee for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Legalization (NORML), and Rotary International.

Mr. Rosenstein has represented clients in all aspects of criminal law, including numerous misdemeanor and felony cases. Mr. Rosenstein is an experienced and skilled trial attorney, who focuses on Driving under the Influence (DUI) defense.

David Wenner, M.S.W., J.D. is nationally recognized as an authority on juror bias and decision-making. As a partner in the Phoenix law firm of Snyder & Wenner, P.C., Mr. Wenner has spent the last two decades prosecuting wrongful death and catastrophic injury accident cases, speaking to lawyers across the country on juror bias and decision-making, and creating a successful juror bias model.

Admission to Bars
1984 - Supreme Court of Arizona
1984 - United States District Court of Arizona
1984 - United States Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit
1990 - United States Supreme Court
Special Distinctions
Co-Author of the Jury Bias Model™, a comprehensive model for analyzing jury judgment and decision making in tort cases.
Best Lawyers in America, 2000-2008
Super Lawyers Southwest 2007-2008
Diplomat of Trial of Advocacy - National College of Advocacy, 1997
Co-Developer of AAJ's Overcoming Jury Bias Seminar & College, 1995 - present
Co-Creator Jury Bias Model™
Best Lawyers in Phoenix (Phoenix Magazine)
Martindale-Hubbell, A.V. rating
Committees
AAJ Jury Project
Board of Trustees - National College of Advocacy, 1995-2001, 2002-2005
Co-Chair Blue Ribbon Committee Appointed by ATLA President to Study Jury Bias
Board of Arizona Trial Lawyer Member Seminar Committee, 1998-2001
Board of the Arizona Trial Lawyers Member Seminar Committee, 1998-2001
Trial Practice Continuing Legal Education, State Bar of Arizona
MEMBERSHIPS
American Association for Justice (formerly, ATLA)
Arizona Bar Association
Maricopa County Bar Association
Honors
Honor Society - University of Washington, Phi Kappa Phi
Research
Juror Bias ATLA Blue Ribbon Committee - 1994-1997
Tort Reform Rhetoric and Juror Attitudes, 2000 - 2001, Stanford University, Roscoe Pound Foundation
Juror Attitudes Post 9/11, AAJ; Roscoe Pound Foundation 2002
Robert L. Habush AAJ Endowment Jury Project --- Judicial Attitudes Toward Voir Dire, Professor Lee D Ross, Stanford University, Geoff Garin, Peter Hart & Associates, Washington D.C. 2008

Danny Adelman has focused his practice on medical malpractice and other catastrophic personal injury litigation for most of the past 20 years. He graduated first in his class (summa cum laude) at the Arizona State University College of Law, where he also served as Editor-in-Chief of the ASU Law Journal. After being admitted to practice law in 1987, Danny served as a judicial law clerk for Chief Justice Frank X. Gordon. Following his clerkship he became an associate at Lewis and Roca, a large Phoenix law firm, and then served as Associate Counsel to the Majority in the Arizona State Senate.

Since 1992, Danny has exclusively limited his practice to representing consumers and victims in cases involving medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, elder abuse, automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, product liability, and other serious personal injury cases.

Danny believes strongly in giving back to the community. Danny recently completed a several year term as the President of the Board of Directors of the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest, and has served on that Board for more than a decade. Danny is a long time member of the Board of Directors of the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association. He is a member of the Amicus (Friend of the Court) Committee, to give a strong voice to injured persons and their families in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Danny is also a member of many local, state, and national legal organizations.

Danny was named one of the Outstanding Lawyers in America, and has achieved an "AV - Highest Rating" from the Martindale-Hubbell attorney rating service.

Danny is married and the proud father of three wonderful children.
Areas of Practice
Medical Malpractice
Personal Injury
Nursing Home Negligence
Elder Abuse
Automobile Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Products Liability
Bar Admissions
Arizona, 1987
Education
Arizona State University, College of Law, Tempe, Arizona

Law Journal: Arizona State University Law Journal, Editor-in-Chief
Professional Associations and Memberships
Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest, Past President of the Board of Directors
Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Board of Directors