Archives: Team

Profile

Sara Ryan is a dedicated, compassionate, up and coming lawyer.

Education

• Arizona State University – Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, Summa Cum Laude, 2012
  • Representative to Panhellenic Board
• University of Arizona – Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude, 2016
• American University, Washington College of Law – Diploma in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, 2016

Bar Admissions

• Arizona Supreme Court
• United States District Court of Arizona

Professional Associations

• American Association for Justice
• Arizona Association for Justice

Honors & Awards

• Outstanding Service Award, Citizens for a Better Arizona

Profile

Alisa Powell is one of the premier medical legal consultants in the state of Arizona. She attended the University of Arizona, a top 20 nationally ranked research institution, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Physiology and a Master’s of Science, Cum Laude in Physiological Sciences from the College of Medicine.

She combined her extensive knowledge base in physiology and love of research into a career at the University of Arizona Cancer Center conducting breast cancer, gynecologic cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma research and Phase I clinical trials with direct patient interaction. Alisa’s attention to detail was valuable in editing investigator-initiated protocols and quality assurance/control responsibilities.

After moving to Phoenix, Alisa continued clinical trials and regulatory/safety work at the Mayo Clinic and Barrow Neurological Institute/St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center performing research in a wide array of fields including Cardiology, Hepatology, Movement Disorders, Neurology, Neuroimaging, Neonatal Intensive Care, Obstetrics, Research Imaging, and Trauma/Orthopedics.

Alisa’s education and experience provides a strong foundation for working up medically related cases including the review, summary, and analysis of complex medical records. Alisa’s thorough medical literature research is critical to supporting cases. Her expertise allows her to engage with medical and legal experts to obtain the best outcomes for clients. Alisa is passionate about using her research skills and medical knowledge to provide justice for those who have been injured.

Education

• University of Arizona, College of Medicine – Master’s of Science in Physiological Sciences, Cum Laude 2010
  • Thesis: The effects of methotrexate on astrocytes in an animal model of chemotherapy-induced CNS injury
• University of Arizona, College of Medicine – Bachelor of Science in Physiology, 2007
  • Thesis: How the subcortical pathway of the amygdala distinguishes familiar vs. novel facial expressions and familiar emotions

Medical Abstracts

• Chalasani, Pavani; Marron, Marilyn; Clarke, Kathryn; Powell, Alisa; Iannone, Maria; Stopek, Alison. Phase I clinical trial of bavituximab and Paclitaxel in patient with HER-2 negative metastatic breast cancer, ASCO Annual Meeting, Abstr 567, 2013.
• Rimmer, RB, Caruso DM, Foster KN, Ryan AM, et al., Comparing burn survivors with visible versus hidden burns on self-assessment of life satisfaction. Supplement to Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation. 2005: 23:S57.
• Rimmer, RB, Caruso DM, Foster, KN, Ryan AM, et al., A study of adolescent burn survivors with visible versus hidden burn scars on reported well-being and life satisfaction. Supplement to Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation. 2005; 81: S86.

Note: Alisa Powell published in 2005 under her maiden name, Alisa M. Ryan.

Profile

Tom Ryan is a top-rated attorney who has represented plaintiffs across the country for over forty years. Always being a staunch advocate for his clients, Tom has earned a stellar reputation for his expertise as a successful trial lawyer. As stated on the Dateline airing of one of Tom’s cases, “When they needed a fighter, they called on Tom Ryan.”

Tom was born and raised in the East Valley with dreams of becoming a lawyer.  Coming from one of the pioneer families in Chandler, Tom was raised with the values of community service, compassion for those in need, and everyday justice. He excelled at the University of Arizona, graduating with a B.A. in History and received his Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University College of Law.

In 1998, Tom was certified as a Specialist in Injury & Wrongful Death by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. His practice focuses on wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury claims including but not limited to: medical malpractice, abuse of vulnerable adults in violation of the Adult Protective Services Act (APSA), birth injuries, auto/truck/motorcycle accidents.

Tom is recognized as a leading plaintiff’s attorney whose cases have been featured on Court TV, ABC 20/20, Dateline NBC, a documentary and many local news outlets. His dedication to clients and involvement in all aspects of a case bring value to every claim.

Education

• University of Arizona, B.A 1979  President’s Award, Baird Scholar
• Arizona State University, J.D. 1982 Moot Court Board, Camby Cup Award, Student Bar President

Bar Admissions

• Arizona Supreme Court
• United States District Court of Arizona
• 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
• California (Pro Hac Vice)
• Illinois (Pro Hac Vice)
• Florida (Pro Hac Vice)
• Iowa (Pro Hac Vice)
• Kansas (Pro Hac Vice)
• South Carolina (Pro Hac Vice)
• Tennesee (Pro Hac Vice)

Certification

• 1998 Certified Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death State Bar of Arizona
• 2003 Re-Certified
• 2008 Re-Certified
• 2013 Re-Certified
• 2018 Re-Certified
• 2023 Re-Certified

Professional Associations

• American Bar Association
• American Association for Justice
• Arizona Association for Justice
• Maricopa County Bar Association
• State Bar of Arizona

Honors & Awards

• AV Pier Review Rated Martindale-Hubbell
• Best Lawyers in America
• Super Lawyers of the Southwest
• U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms Tier 1 Ranking
• Lifetime Advocate Award, Arizona Association for Justice
• Lawyer of the Year 2017, East Valley Best Lawyers
• President’s Award, State Bar of Arizona
• Outstanding Lawyer of the Year 2011-2012, AZAJ
• President’s Commendation, Arizona Attorneys For Criminal Justice
• President’s Award, AZAJ
• Legislative Co-Chair Award, AZAJ
• Distinguished Graduate Award, National Catholic Educational Association
• Pro Bono Service Award, Arizona Bar Foundation
• College of Law Founding Member, Executive Moot Court Board Award, Arizona State University

Historical Cases

Franklin Bruce Ross v. Ken Bennett, et al., Maricopa County Superior Court CV2011-011864

Maricopa County Republican Party, et al. v. Constantin Querard, Maricopa County Superior Court CV2004-04-016012

Board of Directorships

Arizona Association for Justice:  Past President, Past Vice-President,  Past Secretary, Past Treasurer

East Valley Regional Health System/Chandler Regional Hospital, Past Chairman, Past Secretary/Treasurer

American Bar Association, Past House of Delegates Member

East Valley Bar Association, Past President

State Bar of Arizona Conflict Case Committee , Past Member

St. Thomas More Society, Past Board Member

Governor’s and Arizona State Bar Task Forces

• Governor’s Task Force on Access to Emergency Medical Services (EMSA)
• Arizona State Bar Task Force re: ER 1.15 Third Party Interest in Injury Claims
• Arizona State Bar Senior Lawyers Task Force

Documentary

• Mama/M.A.M.A. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, Pyedog Production

Lectures

•  2023 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
  Dealing with the Ghosting Lawyer
• 2023 Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, Annual Conference
  Opening Statements
•  2022 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
  The Lawyer as Counselor
•  2021 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
  Trial Lawyer Professionalism
• 2020 American Board of Trial Advocates, Town Hall Webinar
  Trials in the Age of COVID-19
• 2019 Medical Malpractice Seminar
  Trial Communication Skills
  
• 2019 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
  What the Susquehanna Hat Company & Litigators Have to do with Sanctions
• 2018 Maricopa County Bar Association, Bench Bar Conference
  Closing Arguments
• 2018 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
  Confidentiality, Secrecy and Lies
• 2018 Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, Annual Conference
  Opening Statements
• 2017 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
  Professionalism
• 2017 AZAJ Learn at Lunch Seminar
  Closing Arguments
• 2016 University of Arizona, College of Law
  Guest Lecturer on Legal Professionalism
• 2016 Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, Annual Conference
  Opening Statements
• 2015 Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, Annual Conference
  Opening Statements
• 2014 O’Connor House – Sandra Day O’Connor
  In collaboration with KJZZ
  Panelist, “Issues and Answers” Forum

Television Appearances

• 2023: KPHO Channel 3 and 5 multiple appearances
• 2023 KPNX Channel 12 multiple appearances
• 2022 KPHO Channel 3 and 5 multiple appearances
• 2022 KPNX Channel 12 multiple appearances
• 2021 KPNX Channel 12 multiple appearances
• 2021 KPHO Channel 3 and 5 multiple appearances
• 2020 KPHO, KPNX, KJZZ multiple appearance re: Elections and Constitution
• KPHO Channel 3 and 5: Wrong Way Drivers on Arizona Highways 1/6/20
• KPHO Channel 3 and 5: Morgan Loew Investigation re: DPS & I-17 fatal collision 11/20/20
• KPNX Channel 12 Sunday Square Off: Recent Court Decisions 5/29/19
• KPNX Channel 12 Sunday Square Off: Sheriff Joe Arpaio Criminal Trial 6/25/17
• KAET PBS Horizon: Debate on Dark Money in Arizona 6/21/16
• KTVK Channel 3 Politics Unplugged: SB1516 and Dark Money in Arizona 6/17/16
• KPNX Channel 12 Sunday Square Off: Arizona Politics 12/14/15
• KPHO Channel 5, KTVK Channel 3: Freeway Safety 7/27/15
• KPNX Channel 12 Sunday Square Off: Supreme Court Decisions 6/28/15
• KPNX Channel 12 Sunday Square Off: Arizona Politics 3/1/15
• KPHO Channel 5: Arizona Supreme Court Considers Immunity for State 11/14/14
• KPHO Channel 5: Arizona Supreme Court Crossover Collision Case 11/3/14
• KAET PBS Horizon: Attorney General Tom Horne Campaign Violations 5/20/14

Radio

• 2023 KJZZ “The Show” multiple appearances
• 2023 The Mike O’Neil Show multiple appearances
• 2022 KJZZ “the Show” multiple appearances
• 2022 The Mike O’Neil Show multiple appearances
• 2021 KJZZ “The Show” multiple appearances
• 2021 The Mike O’Neil Show multiple appearances
• KJZZ PBS Friday News Cap 3/21/20
• KTAR The Mike O’Neil Show Think Tank 2020 Year Re-cap -Numerous 2020
• KJZZ PBS Friday news Cap 3/20/19
• KJZZ PBS The Show 9/10/18
• KTAR The Mike O’Neil Show Think Tank 8/12/18
• KJZZ PBS The Show: AZ Corporation Commission 4/21/18
• KTAR The Mike O’Neil Show Think Tank 4/1/17
• KJZZ PBS The Show : APS and the AZ Corporation Commission Arizona Energy 12/3/16
• KJZZ PBS Live 2017 Election Result Discussion 12/8/16

Publications

• Forward to the book Disordered Mother or Disordered Diagnosis? Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome, Drs. David B. Allison and Mark Roberts, Analytic Press, 1998
• “MUNCHAUSEN SYNDROME BY PROXY: Misogyny or Modern Medicine?” Women’s caucus Newsletter, Women’s Trial Lawyers of America, Fall, 1997
• Co-Author, “Medicine Made Easy,” Professional Educational Systems, Inc.
• Co-Author, “Winning Ways With Direct and Cross-Examination: Guiding Principles for the Civil Litigator in Arizona,” National Business Institute

Community Service

• Past Member of the Chandler Housing Authority
• Past Member of the City of Phoenix Crime Free Multi Housing Task Force
• Arizona State University School of Law, Judge – Moot Court Competitions
• Downtown Chandler Community Foundation, Past Advisor
• Chandler Historical Society Speaker/Presenter, Annual Pioneer Luncheon
• St. Mary-Basha Elementary School, Past Chair – Development Committee
• St. Mary-Basha Elementary School, Past School Board Member
• Seton Catholic High School, Past Organizer – Capital Campaign

Profile

Tim Casey is a highly experienced trial lawyer who has achieved record-setting verdicts for his clients.  He is widely regarded as one of Arizona’s preeminent trial attorneys and is regularly named a “top lawyer” by numerous independent and peer-review organizations.

Tim is a civil jury trial lawyer with a long history of representing individuals and businesses who have suffered financial or bodily harm at the hands of others. In the course of thirty years of experience in state and federal courts, Tim tried complex civil jury trials.

Tim has represented individual plaintiffs on claims of whistleblower retaliation, dangerous and defective products, nursing home negligence, wrongful death, and serious personal injury including traumatic brain injury.

He has also represented business plaintiffs on claims involving shareholder disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, business fraud or misrepresentation, legal malpractice, and commercial counterclaims.

Tim and his cases have been the subjects of attention in national and local news, including at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, and The Washington Post, among others.

Education

• Arizona State University, B.S. 1986 Athletic Scholarship, Athletic Director’s Scholastic Honor Roll
• Drake University Law School, J.D. with Honors 1990  Order of the Barristers, Law Review, National Moot Court Team
• Arizona College of Trial Advocacy 1995
• Lanier Trial Academy 2018-19, 2021-23

Bar Admissions

• Supreme Court of Arizona
• United States District Court for the District of Arizona
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Pro Hac Vice Admissions in California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York,  Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Washington,  Utah

Certification

• 2021 Certified Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death State Bar of Arizona

Professional Associations

• Arizona Association for Justice
• American Association for Justice
• Maricopa County Bar Association
• State Bar of Arizona

Honors and Awards

• AV Pier Review Rated Martindale-Hubbell
• Southwest Super Lawyers
• Law Dragon, 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers
• America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators for Arizona
• The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
• US Institute for Advancement of Trade & Commerce – Arizona Leadership Award
• American Lawyer Media & Martindale-Hubbell – Top Rated Lawyers in Healthcare
• Arizona Attorney – Significant Verdict Winner 2018 and 2019

Past Professional Experience

• Member, Beus, Gilbert, McGroder, PLLC, 2020-2023
• Partner, Shareholder, Director & Managing Director, Schmitt Schneck Casey Even & William, PC 2007 – 2020M
• Partner, Snell & Wilmer, LLP, 1997 – 2007
• Associate, Snell & Wilmer, LLP 1990-1996

Lectures

• Frequent speaker and lecturer at Continuing Legal Education courses on such subjects as products liability law, negligence and tort law, trial practices issues, constitutional claims against governmental entities and election law.
• Faculty, State Bar Course on Professionalism 2004 – 2010

Community Service

• Esperanca, Past Board of Directors
• Valley Citizens League, Past Member
• Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Past Pastoral Council
• Diocese of Phoenix Bishop’s Finance Council, Past Member
• Chairman’s Award for Excellent Service, 2006
• Community Leadership Award, 2004
• Senator Paul J. Fannin Award for Excellent Service, 2003

Areas of Law

Business Law
Business Torts, Complex Business Litigation

Litigation
Airbag Injury, All Terrain Vehicle Products Liability, Automotive Crashworthiness, Automotive Design Liability, Automotive Products Liability, Automotive Restraints, Automotive Warranty Law, Bicycle Products Liability, Biomedical Products Liability, Blood Bank Liability, Breach of Warranty, Breast Implant Litigation, Chemical Explosions, Chemical Products Liability, Civil Litigation, Class Action Defense, Class Action Prosecution, Commercial Litigation, Complex and Multi-District Litigation, Complex Litigation, Dalkon Shield Litigation, Defense Litigation, Diet Drug Litigation, Drug and Medical Device Defense, Drug and Medical Device Litigation, Drug Contamination, E-Discovery, Elevator Liability, Engineering Products Liability, Environmental Products Liability, Escalator Liability, Explosions, Federal Civil Litigation, Federal Litigation, Firearms Litigation, Flammable Fabrics, Food Borne Disease, Food Products Liability, Gas Explosions, Heart Device Litigation, Heavy Equipment Products Liability, Industrial Products Liability, International litigation, Lemon Law, Long-Arm Litigation, Manufacturers Liability, Motorcycle Products Liability, Office Equipment Products Liability, Personal Injury Litigation, Product Defects, Product Failure, Product Recall, Product Safety, Product Warning Labels, Products Liability Arbitration, Products Liability Defense, Products Liability Insurance Coverage, Products Liability Mediation, Products Liability Subrogation, Propane Products Liability, Recreational Products Liability, Recreational Vehicle Products Liability, Seat Belt Injury, Tire Defect Litigation, Tire/Rim Mismatch, Tobacco Litigation, Trial Practice, U.S. Supreme Court Litigation, Vaccine Injury, Vehicle Rollovers, Warranty Law, Welding Products Liability

Medical Malpractice
Birth Trauma, Chiropractors Malpractice, Cosmetic Surgery Malpractice, Dental Malpractice, Dental Malpractice Defense, Failure to Diagnose, Gynecology Malpractice, Medical Disciplinary Proceedings, Medical Liability, Medical Malpractice Defense, Medical negligence, Medical-Legal Law, Medication Errors, Mental health Professionals Malpractice, Nursing Liability, Nursing Malpractice, Nursing Negligence, Obstetric Malpractice, Oncology Law, Optometric Malpractice, Orthopedic Malpractice, Pediatric Malpractice, Pharmacists Liability, Physicians Professional Liability, Physicians Rights, Physicians Risk Management, Podiatric Malpractice, Psychiatric Malpractice, Psychology Malpractice, Psychotherapy Law, Surgeons Liability, Wrong Site Surgery

Professional Liability
Accountants Liability, Accountants Malpractice, Directors and Officers Insurance Coverage, Directors and Officers Liability, Professional Conduct, Professional Malpractice, Professional Negligence

Personal Injury
Accidents, Animal Attacks, Aquatic Injuries, Automobile Accidents and Injuries, Automobile Negligence, Bicycle Accidents, Boating Accidents, Bodily Injury, Brain Injury, Bus Accidents, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Catastrophic Injury, Commercial Vehicle Liability, Dog Bites, Electrical Injury, Head Injury, Motor Vehicle Accidents and Injuries, Motorcycle Accidents, Neurolaw, Pedestrian Injuries, Personal Injury Appeals, Product Liability, Severe Burns, Sexual Abuse, Slip and Fall, Spinal Injury, Subway Accidents, Third Party Wrongful Death, Whiplash, Workplace Injury, Wrongful Death

Premises Liability
Inadequate Security, Negligent Security, Premises Liability Defense, Premises Security, Private Security Litigation

Torts
Civil Liability, Intentional Torts, Mass Torts, Tort Defense, Tort Liability