Zachary Mushkatel discovered his affinity for the law by chance. As a political science major at the University of Arizona, he first aspired to become a professor. But an unexpected invitation to participate on a mock trial team at the university encouraged him to turn his competitive spirit and drive to help others into a legal career. “The law is about representing the client’s best interest, being able to think on your feet, and being a master of language and persuasion,” he says. “It just felt like home to me.” Mushkatel graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2004 and has gone on to build a thriving law firm representing clients in the Sun Cities, Northwest Valley and the Phoenix metro region. Mushkatel brings a diverse array of legal expertise to his practice at Mushkatel, Robbins & Becker, PLLC. He started as a public defender before joining the law office of Henry Florence and Sherry Bell to work as a criminal defense attorney. In 2008, he joined forces with Mathis Becker to form Mushkatel and Becker. Throughout that period, he gained experience working in various practice areas, including personal injury, estate litigation, estate planning, guardianship and conservatorship work, probate, corporate litigation, real estate, and various civil matters. Mushkatel’s cross-disciplinary background provides for comprehensive counsel to clients to explore all possible legal avenues. Today, Mushkatel assists individuals throughout the Valley in personal injury, estate and civil litigation matters. Providing exceptional client service and producing results are his top priorities. “My job is to provide a lifeline to clients who feel stuck or helpless and to go to bat for them,” he says. Several of Mushkatel’s personal injury cases have resolved in excess of one-million dollars. He is the recipient of the 2020 Top-Rated Lawyer Award from Avvo and has been named a “Top 40 Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers and a Premier Attorney by The National Academy of Jurisprudence. For Mushkatel, delivering maximum results does not mean sacrificing personal relationships. Success comes from taking the time to get to know each client’s individual needs and tailoring the legal approach to match his or her goals. Building those relationships results from creating an unpretentious yet professional environment that puts people at ease. “Most law firms run like businesses,” says Mushkatel. “The problem is that a business’s interests may not always run in stride with a client’s best interests. Our clients are our Number One priority, and the way we show it is by sitting back and listening quite a bit.” Community service is important to Mushkatel and every attorney the firm. Each lawyer is required to worki on at least two pro bono cases at all times. Mushkatel believes those services should be provided not for the accolades or to meet State Bar requirements, but simply because helping others is fundamental to the legal profession. Mushkatel is licensed in the State of Arizona, the Federal District Court of Arizona and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is on the board and a faculty member for the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, a program of the State Bar of Arizona’s Trial Practice Section. He is a past president and a member of the West Maricopa County Bar Association and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Sun Valley Lodge. A former semi-professional baseball pitcher, Mushkatel has coached his son’s Little League team for several years. When he is not working, he enjoys golf and spending time with his family.Zachary Mushkatel discovered his affinity for the law by chance. As a political science major at the University of Arizona, he first aspired to become a professor. But an unexpected invitation to participate on a mock trial team at the university encouraged him to turn his competitive spirit and drive to help others into a legal career. “The law is about representing the client’s best interest, being able to think on your feet, and being a master of language and persuasion,” he says. “It just felt like home to me.” Mushkatel graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2004 and has gone on to build a thriving law firm representing clients in the Sun Cities, Northwest Valley and the Phoenix metro region. Mushkatel brings a diverse array of legal expertise to his practice at Mushkatel, Robbins & Becker, PLLC. He started as a public defender before joining the law office of Henry Florence and Sherry Bell to work as a criminal defense attorney. In 2008, he joined forces with Mathis Becker to form Mushkatel and Becker. Throughout that period, he gained experience working in various practice areas, including personal injury, estate litigation, estate planning, guardianship and conservatorship work, probate, corporate litigation, real estate, and various civil matters. Mushkatel’s cross-disciplinary background provides for comprehensive counsel to clients to explore all possible legal avenues. Today, Mushkatel assists individuals throughout the Valley in personal injury, estate and civil litigation matters. Providing exceptional client service and producing results are his top priorities. “My job is to provide a lifeline to clients who feel stuck or helpless and to go to bat for them,” he says. Several of Mushkatel’s personal injury cases have resolved in excess of one-million dollars. He is the recipient of the 2020 Top-Rated Lawyer Award from Avvo and has been named a “Top 40 Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers and a Premier Attorney by The National Academy of Jurisprudence. For Mushkatel, delivering maximum results does not mean sacrificing personal relationships. Success comes from taking the time to get to know each client’s individual needs and tailoring the legal approach to match his or her goals. Building those relationships results from creating an unpretentious yet professional environment that puts people at ease. “Most law firms run like businesses,” says Mushkatel. “The problem is that a business’s interests may not always run in stride with a client’s best interests. Our clients are our Number One priority, and the way we show it is by sitting back and listening quite a bit.” Community service is important to Mushkatel and every attorney the firm. Each lawyer is required to worki on at least two pro bono cases at all times. Mushkatel believes those services should be provided not for the accolades or to meet State Bar requirements, but simply because helping others is fundamental to the legal profession. Mushkatel is licensed in the State of Arizona, the Federal District Court of Arizona and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is on the board and a faculty member for the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, a program of the State Bar of Arizona’s Trial Practice Section. He is a past president and a member of the West Maricopa County Bar Association and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Sun Valley Lodge. A former semi-professional baseball pitcher, Mushkatel has coached his son’s Little League team for several years. When he is not working, he enjoys golf and spending time with his family.

Tom Dean has been fighting for the rights of cannabis consumers since 1993. Although his interest in marijuana reform began in college, he cut his teeth on marijuana law as an attorney while working for well-known criminal defense attorney Lee Phillips in Flagstaff. After cultivating his knowledge in this area of law and deepening his experience in the courtroom for several years, he moved to Washington, D.C. to become the National Legal Director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). As NORML’s Legal Director, Tom initiated and managed many matters of national importance to marijuana policy reform and coordinated the efforts of the NORML Legal Committee and NORML Amicus Committee in key cases throughout the U.S. Since returning to Arizona, Tom has devoted his practice almost entirely to cannabis-related matters. He continues to serve as a lifetime member of the NORML Legal Committee, chairs the NORML Amicus Committee, is Legal Director of NORML’s Arizona state chapter, and was inducted into the NORML Distinguished Counsel’s Circle. He is also a founding member of the National Cannabis Bar Association (NCBA) and the Arizona Cannabis Bar Association (ACBA). Outside of the courtroom, Tom enjoys presenting at seminars and conferences both in Arizona and elsewhere and is working on a book he hopes to publish about marijuana law in Arizona. He remains a steadfast activist for marijuana policy reform.

Joshua A. Lopez, Esq. is an attorney serving Arizona, California, and Nevada. Joshua practices criminal defense and personal injury. Joshua is dedicated to fighting for his clients while providing personal service that exceeds expectations. Before starting his practice, Joshua worked with various private and public law firms where he was exposed to many different areas of law. Joshua is very familiar with the stress and anxiety the legal process puts on people fighting a case. That is why Joshua personally handles all his cases and provides his contact information to clients on day one. Joshua attended California Western School of Law. Joshua’s hard work earned him the Academic Excellence Award in Evidence, one of the hardest classes in law school, for having the highest grade in the class out of 118 students. Joshua graduated cum laude in 2016. Before law school, Joshua attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas and earned his Bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship. Joshua enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, and hanging out with his wife and dog in his spare time.

David Mize is a dedicated attorney with a robust background in civil litigation and criminal defense. Graduating from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, David was admitted to the bar in August 2013 and has since built a reputation for professionalism, extensive legal knowledge, and successful case outcomes. In the realm of civil litigation, David has actively participated in both State and Federal courts, handling a diverse array of cases ranging from personal injury matters to complex business disputes. His experience includes navigating business-to-business contract disputes and consumer versus business contractual conflicts with precision and a focus on achieving favorable resolutions for clients. In the criminal defense sphere, David has demonstrated proficiency in handling felony cases of various complexities, including juvenile matters, homicides, financial crimes, and drug offenses. His strategic approach and courtroom acumen have consistently yielded positive results for clients facing serious legal challenges. Moreover, David has extensive experience in family law, having successfully managed dissolutions of marriage, custody disputes, and high-stakes litigation involving spousal maintenance, child support, and high net worth divorce cases. His ability to navigate emotionally charged family law matters with sensitivity while advocating vigorously for his clients’ interests sets him apart in his field. Throughout his career, David has established a track record of achieving favorable outcomes through meticulous preparation, strong advocacy, and a commitment to delivering personalized legal solutions tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. He is known for their integrity, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to securing the best possible results for those he represents.

Kristen Curry has been certified as a Criminal Law Specialist through the State Bar of Arizona for the past 25 years and has extensive jury trial and litigation experience. Kristen handles criminal cases, including both felony and misdemeanor matters, DUI cases, criminal appeals and post-conviction relief. Since 1998, Kristen has been teaching other attorneys statewide how to effectively challenge illegal searches in criminal cases. Her written materials on the subject have also been provided to Superior Court judges during judicial training. Kristen, along with the firm, has been given the highest rating by her legal peers, AV, in the Martindale-Hubbell national legal directory. In addition, Kristen is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. The Bar Register is a unique guide to the legal community's most eminent professionals. It includes only those select law practices that have earned the highest rating (AV) in the Martindale-Hubbell® Law Directory and that have been designated by their colleagues as preeminent in their field. Kristen has been named as a Southwest Superlawyer and is listed in the National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Lawyers for Arizona. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys singing rock-n-roll with her band, traveling, playing pickleball and golf, and spending time with her family. She was raised in Arizona and attended Moon Valley High School. She earned her law degree from University of Arizona in 1993.

Sean Forrester, managing attorney at Lerner and Rowe Law Group, has made a career advocating for the rights of the citizen accused. Mr. Forrester has handled a wide variety of minor and major felony cases, ranging from misdemeanor DUI to first-degree murder. Sean is tireless in his dedication to seek justice on behalf of his clients. He understands the complex legal issues facing those charged with a criminal offense, and has the knowledge to explore and present the best defense possible. Additionally, his experience includes being part of a trial team that obtained over $11 million dollars for clients in civil rights actions brought against law enforcement and other state agencies. Mr. Forrester’s educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Arizona State University and a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is admitted to the Supreme Court of Arizona and the Federal District Court of Arizona.

David Lish defends clients in all types of criminal cases in all courts throughout Arizona. A former misdemeanor and felony prosecutor, he has extensive courtroom and trial experience in both juvenile and adult court. As a Deputy Maricopa County Attorney for over six years, David prosecuted cases with charges ranging from drug possession and forgery to violent crimes, including shootings, aggravated assaults, and attempted murder. He also worked extensively in the Sex Crimes Bureau, where he prosecuted nearly every kind of sex offense. As a sex crimes prosecutor for more than four years, David received comprehensive training in all areas related to sex crimes investigations. This training included forensic interviewing of children, the use of DNA, analyzing medical evidence, and forensic computer analysis. David later joined the City of Scottsdale Prosecutor’s Office, where he focused on DUI prosecution and underwent extensive DUI training and Standardized Field Sobriety testing, including courses required of police officers to conduct DUI investigations. David then took his vast experience as a prosecutor to fight for the accused. He worked for nearly six years at one of Arizona’s largest criminal defense law firms, eventually becoming the lead attorney and handling the most serious cases while training other attorneys. In doing so, he obtained excellent results for countless clients by dismissal, favorable pleas, as well as numerous trials at every level. Now, as a partner and owner at Grand Canyon Law Group, David uses his legal knowledge and skill in a smaller setting to provide customized help to those accused of committing crimes. He has found the perfect home where he has all the resources of the larger firms, combined with the freedom to attack every case the way he knows is best. David focuses all of his attention on getting the best result for every client. He knows that the justice system can be heavily weighted against criminal defendants, which is why he fights hard for each and every person he represents.

When you are looking for a lawyer to help you resolve a legal matter, you want to know that your attorney has what it takes to handle your case with efficiency and professionalism. You also want to know that your attorney has the experience, the commitment, and the passion needed to protect your interests. At the Phoenix, Arizona law offices of Kanu & Associates, P.C., we help clients with many legal problems, from immigration concerns to criminal defense to small business issues. We bring experience and know-how to every matter we handle, and we zealously protect our clients' interests. Solomon O. Kanu graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan in 1999. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Economics from M.D. University Rohtak, India, and a Master's degree in Business Finance from M.S. University of Baroda, India. While in law school, Mr. Kanu gained invaluable experience working as a law clerk for the Presiding Judge of the 54th District Court in Lansing, Michigan, and with the California Attorney General's Office in the Licensing Division. Mr. Kanu handled cases dealing with license revocations of registered nurses, pharmacists, dentists, general contractors, auto mechanics, and others. Mr. Kanu was admitted to the practice of law in October 2001 by the Arizona Supreme Court. Since then, Mr. Kanu has focused on immigration law and related matters. He has represented individuals from at least 20 different countries in immigration and related matters. He represents individuals and organizations before the United States Citizenship Immigration Service across the United States and in immigration courts nationwide. Mr. Kanu also represents clients in criminal matters pending in Arizona as well as helps clients with small business concerns. Our Phoenix immigration attorney is a first-generation immigrant. He understands the hurdles involved in moving to and settling down in the United States. His goal is to make the journey easier for those coming after him.

There are numerous characteristics that you want and expect in your criminal lawyer. Integrity, intelligence and an unfailing devotion to his clients are paramount. But those traits alone are not enough – you need a lawyer with significant experience defending clients charged with crimes. And that is exactly what David Black has been doing for the past seven years. Before entering private practice, Mr. Black served as a prosecutor in the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office. That experience allowed him the unique opportunity to see first-hand how the prosecutors put their cases together, how they assemble their evidence, and how they formulate charges against criminal defendants. By seeing the process from the inside, Mr. Black gained significant insight that taught him how to spot weaknesses in the prosecution’s case; what to do in cases in which the prosecutor inflates the charges; how best to secure a dismissal or a reduction in charges; and how to negotiate the best possible results for his clients. A veteran of the criminal justice system, David is also an experienced trial attorney. The fact is that in some cases, the best alternative for a client is to proceed to trial, and if that is the case, Mr. Black will move forward unafraid. At all times, the essential principal is that every one of his clients is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

R.J. Suzuki is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona and the United States District Court. Fluent in Spanish, Mr. Suzuki is a member of Los Abogados, the Arizona Hispanic Bar Association, and the State Bar of Arizona. He was a former Trustee on the Maricopa County Bar Foundation. Upon graduation from the University of Arizona College of Law, in 2000, Mr. Suzuki was selected to serve as law clerk to the Honorable Howard Fell of the Arizona Superior Court in Pima County, who was assigned to the court's criminal calendar. Mr. Suzuki next accepted appointment as prosecutor in the Office of the Maricopa County Attorneys Office. During the next three years, as Deputy Maricopa County Attorney, Mr. Suzuki investigated and litigated felony matters as part of the Major Crimes Gang and Repeat Offender Program Bureau. From the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Mr. Suzuki accepted a position as Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Arizona. In his nearly two years prosecuting federal crimes, Mr. Suzuki was responsible for the resolution of numerous federal felony and misdemeanor cases in Tucson and Phoenix. Mr. Suzuki primary focus is in criminal defense in City, State and Federal Courts. Mr. Suzuki provides aggressive and professional representation for his clients.