Jill Chasson Examines Arizona Federal Court Ruling on Commission Forfeiture in HR Laws

Commission agreements often require workers to be actively employed on their payout date to receive commissions, putting earned pay at risk if an employee departs before then. In the April issue of HR Laws, Partner Jill Chasson explored a new Arizona federal court decision that casts doubt on whether those provisions are sustainable long term for local employers. In her article, Jill analyzed a case involving a mortgage loan originator who resigned before certain commissions were paid, even though the loans had already closed. The court determined the employee could not recover the payment under Arizona’s wage statute, yet still found the forfeiture provision unconscionable under Arizona contract law. This decision confirmed that employers cannot withhold commissions once the work to earn them is complete and...

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Coppersmith Brockelman Named Law Firm of the Year Finalist in Az Business’ 2026 Excellence in Law Awards

Az Business recently recognized Coppersmith Brockelman as a finalist for Law Firm of the Year in the Small and Medium Size Firm category at the 2026 Excellence in Law Awards — highlighting its commitment to modern legal leadership that goes beyond cases won and contracts closed to drive purposeful progress across the state. The annual Excellence in Law Awards celebrate the top attorneys and firms whose work shapes organizations, strengthens communities, and advances meaningful initiatives both within and beyond the legal practice. The Excellence in Law distinction follows the firm’s repeat appearance on Best Lawyers® and U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Law Firms List. Coppersmith Brockelman is a Phoenix-based law firm with national reach, known for its practical, creative counsel and litigation across a wide range...

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Amita Sanghvi Outlines Growing Legal Stakes of Health Data Exchange in AHLA Bulletin as High-Profile Interoperability Lawsuit Unfolds

The ongoing Epic v. Health Gorilla lawsuit has quickly become one of the most closely watched disputes in health data interoperability. In a new bulletin published by the American Health Law Association, Coppersmith Brockelman attorney Amita Sanghvi analyzed the case and its potential implications for national health information exchange. In the article, Amita explored allegations in the lawsuit and how the dispute may affect governance and oversight within national interoperability frameworks such as Carequality and TEFCA.  The analysis highlights legal and operational questions the case raises for organizations that participate in health information exchange networks. The bulletin also examines the broader policy tension between expanding access to health data and maintaining strong privacy safeguards. As national exchange networks grow, the case may influence how courts, regulators, and...

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Chelsea Sage Gaberdiel Breaks Down Proposed HHS Rules Limiting Gender-Affirming Care Among Minors & Gender Dysphoria Disability Protections

On Dec. 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed sweeping changes that would restrict access to certain gender-related medical care for minors and narrow federal nondiscrimination protections tied to gender dysphoria. In the latest Coppersmith Brief, “Proposed Rules Restricting ‘Sex-Rejecting Procedures’ for Minors and Removing Gender Dysphoria from Disability Nondiscrimination Protections," Chelsea Sage Gaberdiel analyzed the court’s reasoning and what this means for providers, states, and Medicare and Medicaid recipients moving forward, while flagging open legal questions and upcoming public comment deadlines that may influence final rules. Chelsea Sage Gaberdiel draws on extensive civil litigation experience to help educational and corporate institutions navigate sensitive disputes, core operational issues, and compliance demands. She advises academic and business leaders on employment matters, constitutional questions, anti-discrimination...

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Kristen Rosati, Jill Chasson, Keith Beauchamp & Melissa Soliz Recognized in 2026 AzBusiness Leaders

Excellence across disciplines continues to define Coppersmith Brockelman’s legal bench, with Kristen Rosati, Jill Chasson, Keith Beauchamp, and Mel Soliz recognized in the 2026 edition of AzBusiness Leaders, AZ Big Media’s annual publication highlighting Arizona’s most influential business leaders. Recognized among the “Emerging Leaders” list, this marks Mel’s first time in AzBusiness Leaders, noted for her growing impact in health data privacy and interoperability. Kristen and Jill were both named “Leaders to Watch,” a designation selected by the AzBusiness Leaders editorial board to highlight the leaders expected to shape Arizona’s economy in the year ahead. This is the eighth year Kristen has been recognized for her work at the forefront of health care law, including data privacy and data sharing for research and clinical integration. In her...

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Jill Chasson Unpacks Ninth Circuit’s Latest NLRA Ruling on Employee Wage Discussions in HR Laws

Jill Chasson Unpacks Ninth Circuit’s Latest NLRA Ruling on Employee Wage Discussions in HR Laws

A new opinion from the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reinforced a longstanding, and often misunderstood, truth about workplace rights: Employees can talk with each other about pay. In a recent article for HR Laws, Partner Jill Chasson broke down what the decision means for employers navigating discipline, communication policy, and National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) compliance. In the article, Jill examined a recent wrongful-termination dispute in Phoenix that prompted the court to directly affirm that pay-related conversations qualify as protected concerted activity, for both union and non-union workers, under Section 7 of the NLRA. She highlighted how the ruling strengthens the existing wage transparency position and clarified the risks employers face when disciplinary decisions overlap with discussions about compensation or working conditions. Additionally, Jill offered...

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