Partner Andy Gaona offered his legal perspective in a recent Votebeat article examining a controversial settlement that raises important questions for elections statewide. The case centers around a 2023 Cochise County all-mail election for a proposed tax to fund a new jail — now invalidated after a legal challenge revealed the county failed to send ballots to more than 11,000 inactive voters. The settlement at issue halts the tax’s collection until a new election can be held in November and awards $130,000 in attorneys’ fees to the plaintiff. Andy noted the settlement is troubling, not just because of the payout to the plaintiff, but also because the judge refused to allow Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to challenge it and the parties’ agreement to invalidate the results...

Read MoreRead More

A complaint filed recently in Maricopa County Superior Court has sparked questions about whether Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke was ever eligible to run for that office, citing language in the city’s charter that arguably could have prevented him from being elected. KJZZ Phoenix interviewed election law expert and Partner Andy Gaona to break down the legal complexities of the situation while detailing what this could mean for the City of Chandler. Andy explained that under Chandler’s charter, anyone who has served two consecutive terms — regardless of whether on the City Council or as Mayor — is ineligible to hold office again until a four-year break has passed. Despite this rule, Hartke ran for Mayor in 2018 after serving two terms on the Council. He went...

Read MoreRead More

Chambers USA, the world’s leading legal data and analytics provider, has recognized 10 of our 21 lawyers in its 2025 legal guide. The firm also achieved a new national distinction in Privacy & Data Security: Healthcare, underscoring the team’s extensive expertise in this complex and rapidly developing sector of law. Among the individual honors is a first-time Arizona ranking for Andy Gaona in appellate litigation. Coppersmith Brockelman also earned repeat recognition in Arizona for three key practice areas: Labor & Employment, Litigation: General Commercial, and Healthcare. 2025 Chambers USA nationally recognized attorneys: Kristen Rosati, Privacy & Data Security: Healthcare Mel Soliz, Privacy & Data Security: Healthcare Attorneys recognized for their expertise in Arizona: Keith Beauchamp, Litigation: General Commercial Kent Brockelman, Labor & Employment Jill Chasson, Labor & Employment ...

Read MoreRead More

Demonstrating the firm’s ongoing commitment to advancing civil and legal rights across the state, Coppersmith Brockelman sponsored the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest’s (ACLPI) annual Spring Celebration. For more than 50 years, the nonprofit law firm has been dedicated to protecting the fundamental freedoms of Arizonans, focusing on cases that have far-reaching social, environmental, and public health implications. In addition to Coppersmith Brockelman’s financial support of ACLPI, the firm also often partners with ACLPI to represent clients on high-profile and high-impact litigation, furthering ACLPI’s mission. Held at the historic Desert Botanical Garden, the event is ACLPI’s largest fundraiser of the year, bringing together community leaders and supporters to celebrate the organization’s impact and vision for the future. This year’s event featured former Maricopa...

Read MoreRead More

A recent string of mailed extortion demands has caught health care organizations off guard, signaling a shift in ransomware tactics. Partner Kristen Rosati was featured in a Healthcare Risk Management article, emphasizing the importance for health care organizations to prepare for these emerging threats. The paper ransomware letters claimed sensitive data had been stolen and demanded more than $250,000 in Bitcoin within 10 days. Although an increasing number of health care staff now receive training to avoid suspicious links and spot phishing emails, physical letters tend to feel more legitimate and urgent than these digital phishing tactics. This method also bypasses the expensive email filters and security systems set up to catch digital threats, making it even more difficult to detect. “Snail mail doesn’t leave a digital...

Read MoreRead More

Coppersmith Brockelman has once again garnered recognition for its legal excellence, earning two top 10 placements in Ranking Arizona’s 2025 edition. The firm secured the No. 2 spot among the state’s Top 10 Cannabis Law Firms and was named on the list of Arizona’s Top 10 Law Firms with 25 Attorneys or Fewer. The rankings reflect the team’s ability to deliver thoughtful, effective counsel across complex legal matters. Ranking Arizona is the state’s largest business opinion poll, with results determined by thousands of community votes. The lists spotlight organizations that demonstrate exceptional service, leadership, and impact in their respective industries. Coppersmith Brockelman is known for bringing clarity to complexity, blending sharp legal insight with real-world practicality. Whether working through regulatory shifts in cannabis law or advising on...

Read MoreRead More