J. Brent Welker, Attorney

Brent’s practice focuses primarily in the areas of labor and employment law, commercial litigation, and appellate work. He represents clients in employment-related civil litigation, including claims for breach of employment contract, wrongful termination, and employment discrimination. Brent advises clients on both state and federal employment law, including The American with Disabilities Act, The Family and Medical Leave Act, The Fair Labor Standards Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In the area of commercial litigation, Brent represents both individuals and businesses in contract, fraud, negligence, consumer, insurance, and construction disputes. He also assists clients in alternative dispute resolution settings, including private arbitration and in administration proceedings before the Registrar of Contractors.

Brent has extensive experience at the appellate level. He has appeared and argued before both the Supreme Court for the State of Arizona and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on a broad array of appellate matters.

Brent received his B.S. from Brigham Young University in 1975. Before attending law school, he worked for several years publishing a construction trade magazine. Brent received his Juris Doctor from Arizona State University in 1986. During law school, he served as a managing editor for the Arizona State Law Journal, and published two articles: The Public Use Clause and Judicial Review - Hawaii Housing Authority v. Midkiff, 1985 ARIZ. ST. L. J. 237; and, Tort Law - New Jersey Allows Wrongful Life Damages - Procanik v. Cillo, 1986 ARIZ. ST. L. J. 361. Brent was a member of the National Moot Court Team; additionally, he received the Overall Best Advocate Award for the Canby Moot Court Competition.

Following law school, Brent clerked for the Honorable Thomas C. Kleinschmidt of the Arizona Court of Appeals for the 1986 - 1987 term. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Phoenix Chapter of the Lawyer’s Division of the Federalist Society.

Brent and his wife Debbie have five children: Adam, Marie, Bruce, Jo, and Maggie. Brent is a native of Arizona and has volunteered for many years as an adult leader of the Boys Scouts of America. He currently serves as an Assistant District Commissioner with the Salt River District of the Boy Scouts of America.