The jury has spoken!
The votes have been tallied, and our fourth annual list of the Valley’s top legal eagles is a matter of record. From appellate law to criminal defense to malpractice litigation, these peer-selected attorneys will always do your case justice.
Edited by Leah LeMoine, Craig Outhier, Madison Rutherford & Nora Burba Trulsson | Photography by Mirelle Inglefield
How we Picked our Top Lawyers
PHOENIX magazine generates its Top Lawyers list via an online survey of practicing attorneys in the Greater Phoenix area. Partnering with Colorado Springs-based information research firm Data Joe, PHOENIX disseminates emails to each of the roughly 16,000 active attorneys licensed with the State Bar of Arizona, directing them to an online portal managed by Data Joe. The survey, which takes place over six weeks, asks respondents to provide the names of up to three attorneys they deem the best in 39 legal specialties. To spread the votes democratically, respondents are asked to nominate at least one attorney in each category who works in a firm other than their own.
At the conclusion of the voting, Data Joe tallies the votes digitally and verifies that vote recipients are in good standing with the State Bar. PHOENIX editors then set the vote thresholds in a manner that ensures the top 10 to 20 percent of vote-getters in each category make the Top Lawyers list. Our fact-checkers then call each attorney on the final list to confirm their affiliation with a Valley-based firm and obtain accurate contact information.
PHOENIX does not give preference to attorneys who advertise. Top Lawyers earn their place on the list purely by virtue of the votes they receive, and our sales staff does not see the list until the lawyers have been confirmed by our fact-checkers. 2025 is the fourth year PHOENIX has conducted Top Lawyers.
RISING STAR
Every year, PHOENIX profiles a Top Lawyers attorney with three or fewer years of experience.
Amir Sadeghi
Field/Specialty: Artificial Intelligence; Intellectual Property Law
In laymen’s terms, what is the distinction between AI and IP?
Intellectual property… refers to ownership and control of “creations of the mind,” such as music, inventions or business names. AI can certainly implicate IP issues, such as ownership of AI output and infringement of works used to teach AI.
Who owns the output of generative AI? Can AI-generated content be copyrighted?
While the contours of AI copyright protection are still being crafted, recent federal decisions and the copyright office have shed guidance. Copyright protections extend only to human authorship, and AI is not human. Thus, copyright protections are not available to purely AI-generated material. However, the use of AI tools to assist rather than replace human creativity does not affect the availability of copyright protections for the output.
Are there any legal precedents around liability for incorrect or harmful information provided by AI?
I don’t know of any civil liability cases, but lawyers have been sanctioned for providing citations to non-existent legal sources because of AI results that “hallucinate” cases.
As an IP attorney in the Valley, what do the majority of your cases entail?
Arizona has a large commercial presence, which leads to plenty of trademark- and trade-secret-related matters. While IP in Arizona is certainly growing, the music and entertainment scene is still not as big as in other states, so copyright matters are still a small portion of my work.
Do you use AI in your daily life – personal or professional?
AI has been a helpful tool in my professional life. I use it to kickstart my legal research by asking broader, conversational questions rather than using search terms. I have not yet used it for personal use, however I have seen incredible applications of it as a creative tool and translation tool.
What do you do in your spare time?
My passion for IP came from my passion for music. So, I try to spend as much time with my instruments as I can. I bang out on the drums when I am frustrated, reconnect with classical music through my violin, or jam out on my guitar.
“If I wasn’t a lawyer, I’d like to be…”
A performing musician. I always loved to perform on stage playing both the violin and the drums and, in another life, I would either have been a professional drummer in a band or a professional violinist in an orchestra.
Hyung Choi
Field/Specialty: Consumer Debt
Law School/Year Graduated: Arizona State University, 1993
Years in Practice: 32
You made our Top Lawyers list in the field of Consumer Debt. How is this specialty distinct from Bankruptcy Law?
As a consumer protection lawyer, I evaluate [whether] the consumer has a valid defense if a consumer is sued for a debt. If yes, then I will defend the consumer. If there is no defense, then I recommend the consumer consider bankruptcy, if warranted.
You’ve handled cases involving car dealers and finance companies. What should consumers know about interacting with these entities?
First and foremost, please read the contract before you sign it. The contract spells out each side’s rights and obligations, [and] will show the rights and obligations of both parties to the contract. Do not go by what they tell you.
What is the Arizona Lemon Law and how does it protect consumers?
[It] primarily applies to new vehicles purchased in Arizona that are still under warranty and within 24 months or 24,000 miles from when it was first placed into consumer use. Most of the lemons I used to see were because the manufacturer could not fix a major problem despite four or more repair attempts. But nowadays, [it’s usually] due to unavailability of parts. [With certain exceptions], Arizona Lemon Law then requires the manufacturer to repurchase the lemon.
You speak Korean! Have you had many opportunities to use the language in your practice?
Yes. I have been serving the Korean American community in Arizona for the last 30 years. I use my knowledge about contract law to help many small businesses owned by Korean American[s] in Arizona.
Who is your all-time favorite fictional attorney?
My Cousin Vinny. [laughs]
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy fly fishing, traveling, reading, learning about history and news from all around the world, and spending time with my family. But most of my spare time is used in trying to fight the old age by going to the gym and taking care of the yard and swimming pool no one uses.
“If I wasn’t a lawyer, I’d be…”
A geologist. Hiking the Grand Canyon or seeing any geological wonders of Arizona makes me want to study about them.
Nora Jones
Field/Specialty: Elder Law
Law School/Year Graduated: University of Arizona, 2011
Years in Practice: 14
What inspired you to pursue elder law? Did you have a personal connection to the field?
I found [this calling] early in my legal studies… in order to empower, support and defend those often seen as vulnerable. Whether someone is elderly or disabled, they deserve respect and strong legal advocacy. In this practice, I can protect their rights and stand up for those in need.
Is Arizona a particularly fertile ground for elder abuse/exploitation cases because of our large retirement population?
Arizona is seeing the “silver tsunami” firsthand with our booming senior population. My office receives calls daily from families looking to find help for exploited loved ones.
What are your thoughts on the massive increase in scams targeting the elderly via texts, phone calls and emails? How can younger friends and family members be proactive in protecting their loved ones?
These types of scams have been around for a very long time and the technological revolution currently taking place has certainly accelerated them, especially in vulnerable populations less adept to keep pace with the changing environment. The sad reality I find in my practice is that many scammers are not faceless bad actors sending texts and emails but instead are trusted family or friends to their victims. Loved ones should look out for growing isolation and sudden financial trouble and seek legal guidance.
We couldn’t help but notice you share a name with a certain Grammy-winning singer-songwriter! Are you a fan of the other Norah Jones?
I am a fan! While the name inadvertently gets some good dinner reservations, I’ve caused a few letdowns when people are expecting the singer, and I show up instead. Not so long ago, I was at a California resort spa and the masseuse, with a look of complete disappointment, told me that Norah Jones and Kenny Loggins were on the books that day and she chose me… and the other masseuse got the “real” Kenny Loggins.
Who is your all-time favorite fictional attorney?
Cliché as it may be, Atticus Finch is my favorite fictional attorney. He’s described as being “the same in his house as he is on the public streets” [and] those qualities of authenticity and integrity have always deeply resonated with me.
“If I wasn’t a lawyer, I’d like to be…”
A counselor. What I love best about my job is guiding people through emotionally difficult times.
Craig Logsdon
Field/Specialty: Product Liability
Law School/Year Graduated: Arizona State University, 1999
Years in Practice: 25
What types of products are most common in product liability suits? Do you see cases trending in certain industries?
We handle a lot of automotive work. As cars and other products become smarter, people expect more out of them. We’re seeing more lawsuits in which people believe the product should have taken over and prevented an accident.
Which side of liability do you typically work? Take the famous McDonald’s coffee case. Would you represent McDonald’s or the burn victim?
We defend people and companies that make products that wind up in lawsuits. The people who make products go the extra mile to make sure the products are safe – they use the products themselves and so do their families.
You got a bachelor’s degree in journalism before going to law school. Why did you decide to pursue a career in law, and how does your journalism background complement it?
As a radio reporter [in Oklahoma], I enjoyed covering legal issues at the county courthouse. I spent a lot of time reading the legal documents and got sucked into it. Hopefully, my radio background helps me break things down for my audience and make complex issues easy to understand. In radio, we had to tell a news story in three sentences, no matter how complex the story was.
You co-founded Maricopa County Veteran’s Court, which assists veterans with legal issues. What inspired that mission?
My friend, Col. Billy Little, told me we needed to do it. I told our firm chair, and, within a day, we had a team of lawyers helping with the project.
Who is your all-time favorite fictional attorney?
I’ve never paid attention. But I can tell you that my favorite song about lawyers is [Warren Zevon’s] “Lawyers, Guns and Money.”
What do you do in your spare time?
Something active, like boxing, soccer or skiing.
“If I wasn’t a lawyer, I’d be…”
A play-by-play announcer.
Amy Abdo
Specialty: Professional Malpractice
Law School/Year Graduated: University of San Diego, 1990
Years in Practice: 34
People are generally familiar with medical malpractice, but that’s a different legal field altogether. What are the most common types of malpractice cases you oversee?
Legal malpractice. [Typically], claims are filed by former clients alleging negligence or breach of fiduciary duty, [but] we’ve seen an uptick in third-party claims typically brought by adversaries in underlying litigation or transactions. Third parties often allege claims of fraud, abuse of process, aiding and abetting, and interference.
So, your clients are other attorneys?
Yes, my clients are top-notch attorneys and leading national and international law firms. My colleagues often refer to me as “the lawyers’ lawyer.”
Are certain professions/industries more litigious than others?
Recently, we’ve seen a variety of legal malpractice claims arising in the renewable and alternative energy sector. These claims often arise from high-risk start-up projects that involve emerging technologies [which] are heavily dependent on investors and financing and often fail before commercialization. When they fail, litigation typically follows, and lawyers are easy targets.
Your work frequently concerns “covenants.” What does that mean from a legal standpoint?
A covenant is a contractual promise usually made by an employee not to engage in certain conduct after the employment relationship ends, such as soliciting customers or employees, competing with the business, or using confidential business information or trade secrets to compete with the business.
Who is your all-time favorite fictional attorney?
Ann Kelsey from L.A. Law was a strong litigator with high integrity, top ethics and a centered moral compass. She held her own in court and firm leadership, while being an engaged mother.
What do you do in your spare time?
I love to exercise and am often at the gym at 5 a.m. I enjoy outdoor adventures with my husband and daughters.
“If I wasn’t a lawyer, I’d be…”
I love football and often dreamed of being an NFL running back. I admire running backs’ abilities to charge head-on into challenges, read the field in real time and refuse to go down on the first contact… Running backs require vision, grit and resilience, as do lawyers in the courtroom.
Adam P. Palmer
Specialty: Workers’ Compensation
Law School/Year Graduated: Antioch School of Law, 1986
Years in Practice: 38
Was it gratifying when your son joined your firm? Did it take much coaxing?
It was extremely gratifying. Once he decided to go to law school… we both knew that he would come work for me, that I would train him, and that he would eventually take over the firm.
Is there anything about labor law in Arizona – traditions, quirks, etc. – that makes the field more or less challenging?
Workers’ compensation law in Arizona is always advancing. As science and medicine advances, so too must the Workers’ Compensation Act. Arizona recently adopted the [guidelines] that set forth evidence-based science that governs how most types of industrial injuries should be treated and the length of that treatment.
You’re a court-appointed special advocate for children. What drew you to that work? How do you use your legal acumen to advocate for kids?
I read an article about the thousands of children in the foster care system being abused and ignored. I did some research and discovered the CASA organization. Being a trial lawyer, I had the background and experience to evaluate a case, review a court file and make arguments on behalf of my appointed student for their best interests.
Who is your all-time favorite fictional attorney?
Al Pacino as Arthur Kirkland in …And Justice for All.
“If I wasn’t a lawyer, I’d like to be…”
Exotic pet shop owner. Not sexy pets but endangered! [laughs]
Jett T. Palmer
Field/Specialty: Workers’ Compensation
Law School/Year Graduated: University of Arizona, 2021
Years in Practice: 3
What’s your earliest impression or memory of your dad’s career – and when did you make the decision to join him?
When I was a young kid, we were in Home Depot, and someone came over to us and explained to me that my dad was a lifesaver for him. I didn’t know what that meant at the time, but I knew I wanted to be like my dad.
What’s a case that’s stayed with you, and why?
There was a survivor benefits case where a woman’s husband suffered a heart attack while at work and passed, leaving her on her own with their children. She said no lawyer would help her because they thought the case was too hard. The difference it made in her life when we won left an indelible mark on me for sure.
You’re a big baseball fan! Which stadiums are on your bucket list to visit?
All of them! At least that is the dream. But in my ventures so far, I have to say that Detroit was my favorite stadium I have seen. I think my dad would agree, he even got a picture with the mascot!
Who is your all-time favorite fictional attorney?
I am going to go with Mickey Haller from The Lincoln Lawyer. If we’re being honest here, it is just because he is played by Matthew McConaughey, who is probably the coolest guy ever.
“If I wasn’t a lawyer, I’d be…”
I would like to say I would be a professional baseball player or rock star, but we all know that is not possible. I think I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
