law // EMPLOYMENT & LABOR RELATIONS
A ANNE MEYER Partner // Snell & Wilmer // swlaw.com Meyer counsels clients in the design, documentation and implementation of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans and executive compensation programs. She also advises clients on benefits and compensation issues in connection with corporate transactions. Personal strengths: “I grew up in small town Iowa where everyone worked hard and cared about each other. Those qualities have guided my legal practice. I care deeply about my clients, their businesses and their issues, and I strive to help those clients solve problems and achieve opportunities.” Industry outlook: “The law firms and attorneys that thrive in any economy are those that focus on building and enhancing client relationships and identifying new and innovative ways to deliver value and results.”
A
B
B STEPHANIE QUINCY Partner // Quarles & Brady // quarles.com Quincy is chair of Quarles & Brady’s Labor & Employment Practice Group in Phoenix, where she maintains a regular caseload of employment litigation matters and has extensive trial experience and handling class action and multi-plaintiff lawsuits. She counsels employers on a variety of employment law matters, including discrimination, retaliation, covenants not to compete, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and defamation. Professional advice: “Be adaptable. The industry is changing quickly and clients are dictating the change, not lawyers. Keep learning and don’t be afraid to try new things.” Prized possession: “My Dad bought me a necklace shortly before he died. It isn’t worth much monetarily. It is worth everything to me and I keep it with me all the time.”
C
C J. RUSSELL SKELTON Partner // Jones, Skelton & Hochuli // jshfirm.com With 50 years of experience, Skelton focuses his practice in the areas of medical malpractice and workers’ compensation defense. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Personal strengths: “I have always tried to provide the best client service possible, by serving as an advocate, listening and responding to their needs, and treating them fairly.” Industry outlook: “Law firms are in a constant state of change. To remain competitive, firms must respond to increasing client demands, find efficiencies in staffing and pricing models, and streamline their service offerings. All this must be done while still providing the most experienced and effective services possible.”
D MICHELLE SWANN Partner // Radix Law // radixlaw.com Swann practices in the areas of commercial litigation and employment law. She has extensive experience in civil rights matters, wage and hour compliance, contract disputes, unfair competition, trade secrets and constitutional torts. She graduated with a JD with high honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law: Order of the Coif in 1999. She also has a BS from Arizona State University. Industry outlook: “We will continue to see non-competition and non-solicitation be a focus in employment law as employees move from job to job. The rising minimum wage will continue to be an issue for small to mid-sized with unskilled labor and how they deal with it will be a potentially new area for increased legal involvement.”
D
E DEBORA VERDIER Partner // Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester // manningllp.com Verdier defends employers in labor and employment disputes. She is an adjunct professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU. Verdier was named by AZ Business Magazine as one of Arizona’s Top 100 Lawyers each year from 2016-2019. Personal strengths: “A strong desire to succeed and a healthy level of insecurity. Those two qualities have resulted in a work ethic and focus on preparedness. I may not always be the smartest lawyer in the room, but I definitely always strive to be the most prepared.” Prized possession: “A framed print of Cbabi Bayoc’s ‘Reine Keis Quintet,’ which was the album cover art for Prince’s Rainbow Children album. It is one of my favorite albums and the artwork is beautiful. It represents music, creativity, and diversity, all of which I value in my life.”
106 ABL | Nominate at azBIGmedia.com
E