(Phoenix, AZ) – Gust Rosenfeld P.L.C. is pleased to announce that Charles W. Wirken, Frederick M. Cummings, and Gerard R. O’Meara were named as “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective areas of practice by The Best Lawyers in America®. This award is bestowed to only one attorney in a particular practice area and region signifying the lawyer’s stellar reputation and work ethic.

Charles Wirken was named the Best Lawyers® 2024 Franchise Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Phoenix; Fred Cummings was named the Best Lawyers® 2024 Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” in Phoenix; and Gerry O’Meara was named Best Lawyers® 2024 Litigation – Banking and Finance “Lawyer of the Year” in Tucson.

Nine Gust Rosenfeld attorneys were named Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in America™, and thirty Gust Rosenfeld attorneys were selected to be included in The Best Lawyers in America 2024®. All nominees in every category are recommended by and voted on by their peers.

“At Gust, we pride ourselves on our results, relationships and reputation, and these awards indicate our firm’s commitment to our clients and our community,” said Scott Malm partner and member of the firm’s Executive Committee. “Congratulations to all our awardees.” In total, 39 Gust Rosenfeld lawyers were singled out for excellence.

Lawyers of the Year

• Charles W. Wirken – Franchise Law and Appellate Practice (Phoenix)
• Frederick M. Cummings – Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants (Phoenix)
• Gerard R. O’Meara – Real Estate Law and Litigation – Banking and Finance (Tucson)

Ones to Watch
This award honors attorneys who have been in practice less than 10 years.

• Kyle B. Bate* – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
• Brandon Caywood – Public Finance Law; Tax Law
• A. Daniel Coumides – Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Francis Espiritu – Family Law; Family Law Arbitration and Mediation
• Heidi Purtzer – Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law; Insurance Law
• Brittany J. Reed – Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Melissa S. San Angelo – Commercial Litigation; Elder Law; Health Care Law; Litigation – Labor and Employment; Medical Malpractice Law -Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Shannon Scola – Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law; Insurance Law
• Robert Williams – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Bankruptcy

Best Lawyers

• Michael H. Bate – Tax Law
• Laura Sever Blanco – Real Estate Law
• Kent E. Cammack – Litigation – Real Estate; Real Estate Law
• Tom Chauncey II – Corporate Law; Media Law
• Mark L. Collins – Litigation – Real Estate; Real Estate Law’
• Peter Collins, Jr. – Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Personal Injury Litigation -Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Professional Malpractice – Defendants
• Frederick M. Cummings -Medical Malpractice – Defendants; Personal Injury – Defendants; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants; Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Patrick J. Farell – Corporate Law
• Thomas E. Halter – Litigation – Real Estate; Real Estate Law
• Robert D. Haws – Education Law; Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Thomas F. Hickey* – Real Estate Law
• Richard B. Hood – Commercial Litigation
• James W. Kaucher – Litigation – Health Care; Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Craig L. Keller – Litigation – Trusts and Estates; Real Estate Law
• Jennifer N. MacLennan – Education Law
• Scott A. Malm – Real Estate Law
• Andrew J. McGuire – Land Use and Zoning Law; Municipal Law; Real Estate Law
• Jeffrey L. McLerran – Litigation – Health Care; Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Christopher M. McNichol – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Real Estate Law
• Christina M. Noyes – Franchise Law; Corporate Law
• Séan P. O’Brien – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Gerard R. O’Meara – Litigation – Banking and Finance; Real Estate Law
• Barbara U. Rodriguez-Pashkowski – Environmental Law; Natural Resource Law
• Frederick H. Rosenfeld – Corporate Law; Municipal Law; Public Finance Law
• Shiela B. Schmidt – Municipal Law
• Susan Segal – Education Law; Employment Law – Management; Municipal Law
• John T. Shoaf – Litigation – Insurance
• Frank S. Tomkins – Real Estate Law
• Charles W. Wirken – Appellate Practice; Franchise Law
• Michael S. Woodlock – Construction Law; Litigation – Construction; Real Estate Law

* First year the lawyer was listed in the published practice area.