law // CONSTRUCTION
A JOHN CONDREY Partner // Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani // grsm.com Condrey practices in the Construction, Insurance, Professional Liability Defense and Commercial Litigation groups. For 30 years, he has been representing general contractors, architects and engineers, developers and owners in matters ranging from professional negligence claims, default terminations, delay and disruption , project development, land use, and a number of other types of transactions and disputes. Personal strengths: “Being a creative person with a science (math) background helps me to understand complex issues and to figure out ways to solve problems and the ability to explain complicated ways so anybody can understand it. This is critical in my business, where not everyone you deal with is an expert in your field.”
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B SCOTT FRERICHS Member // Jennings, Strouss & Salmon // jsslaw.com Frerichs’ practice includes all aspects of construction law disputes, with a focus on surety issues, as well as bid protests and Registrar of Contractors matters. He has completed approximately 50 trials over his career. Frerichs’ vast litigation experience also includes fidelity law claims, products liability defense, professional negligence defense, E&O claims, and employment and appellate law. Professional advice: “Learn your case, the good and bad, down to the smallest details. And never, ever, say, ‘that’s not my job.’” Industry outlook: “Litigation tends to follow the economic cycles pretty closely, and construction disputes in particular. Anecdotally, litigation appears to be increasing, but with clients making more of an effort up front to try and resolve disputes on a cost/benefit analysis.”
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C RICHARD HOOD Member // Gust Rosenfeld // gustlaw.com Hood is listed in Best Lawyers in America and recognized in Top Lawyers in Arizona. Hood’s practice focuses on litigation for businesses, banks and governmental entities, including contract, partnership, trade secrets, franchise and environmental disputes. Professional advice: “Find a mentor. Law schools do a good job of teaching the law, but a good mentor will help a new lawyer learn how to practice. A mentor who will not only provide constructive advice, but will also teach by example, i.e. have the new lawyer sit in on client meetings, attend depositions and court hearings, provides the basis for a successful career.” Prized possession: “A watch given to me by my father for graduation from law school. He was always there to help, provide support and kid me when I was too full of myself.”
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D MITCHELL RESNICK Co-founder and managing shareholder // Resnick & Louis // rlattorneys.com
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Resnick is a renowned name in insurance and institutional defense litigation, representing hotels and casinos, retail stores, restaurants, as well as construction defect litigation, professional liability, bodily injury, transportation, life and disability litigation, employment law and intellectual property. Professional advice: “Hard work pays off. In order to be successful in this industry, you must care about your clients, your employees, and your work. Success will come, but there are no shortcuts.” Industry outlook: “In the coming year, I believe that more competitors are going to be looking at interstate and international opportunities. Whether that has a positive or negative impact for the legal industry, I am not sure. But simply put, I think more law firms are going to open up in more places.”
E RICHARD RIGHI Owner // Righi Fitch Law Group // righilaw.com Righi began his career trying felony cases for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and for the past 20 years has focused his practice on personal injury, construction defect, product liability and professional liability. He is a member of ABOTA, having tried more than 50 cases to jury verdict. Righi has been named a Southwest Super Lawyer in two specialties: personal injury and construction. Professional advice: “Stick to your strengths. Thinking outside the box is great, but coloring outside your professional lines can get you into trouble, especially as a lawyer.” Prized possession: “My seven-foot unicycle. I grew up performing with a unicycle troupe that traveled throughout the Midwest. Our specialty was college basketball half-time shows.” 100 ABL | Nominate at azBIGmedia.com