Gust Rosenfeld Attorney To Be Inducted Into The American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
Charles W. Wirken, a partner at Gust Rosenfeld P.L.C., has been selected to become a Fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. Only nine other attorneys in Arizona are members of this prestigious group.
“It is a great honor to be elected to membership in the Academy-one that is especially meaningful as I review the names of the extremely skilled appellate lawyers that are already members,” Wirken said.
During his 34-year career, Wirken has briefed and argued a broad range of cases and issues in state and federal appellate courts. In 2009, he successfully petitioned the United States Supreme Court to hear the case of United Student Aid Funds vs. Espinosa, the recent decision of which established legal requirements for the discharge of student loan debts in bankruptcy cases.
Previous recognition of Wirken’s reputation as an appellate lawyer includes being selected by his peers to be among those listed in The Best Lawyers in America® and Southwest Super Lawyers® in the Appellate Law category. He is a past president of the State Bar of Arizona, was a co-founder of the State Bar of Arizona Appellate Practice Section, has regularly served as a faculty member of the Arizona Appellate Practice Institute, and is a former judge pro tem of the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One.
The American Academy of Appellate Lawyers was established to recognize outstanding appellate lawyers and promote excellence in appellate practice and the quality of appellate justice. Academy membership is open only to persons who have a reputation of recognized distinction as an appellate lawyer. To be eligible for membership, a lawyer’s practice must have focused substantially on appeals for at least 15 years. Academy membership is limited to 500 members, and the current membership is approximately 300.
Membership in the Academy is by invitation only. Candidates for membership must be nominated by a present Academy member, reviewed and approved by a Membership Evaluation Committee, and elected at a regular Academy meeting.
Wirken will be inducted as a Fellow in the Academy on April 9, 2010 at a ceremony during the Academy’s spring meeting at the Arizona Biltmore.
Founded in 1921, Gust Rosenfeld provides legal counsel to individuals, private and public corporations, and governments. Nationally known for its public law and finance practice, the firm also maintains significant practices in real estate, corporate, environmental, litigation, labor and employment, creditors’ rights, and franchise law. The firm has offices in Phoenix and Tucson.
Tom Chauncey II – 602-257-7479 – chauncey@gustlaw.com