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.

Kevin Garrison is a personal injury attorney committed to fighting insurance companies and corporations to protect the rights of each client that he represents. Whether the injuries are caused by negligence or someone driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances, Kevin brings the same passion and intensity to every case. Mr. Garrison has been practicing law as a personal injury attorney for over 30 years and has won significant verdicts and settlements on behalf of his injured clients across Arizona. When deciding which personal injury lawyer you want representing your case, you should consider someone knowledgeable, compassionate, experienced, and who does not give up or take the easy way out. Kevin Garrison and his team have built a reputation and legacy of doing just that by providing expert legal representation with compassion to help our clients when they need us most.

Melissa Kleminski Bower is a practicing lawyer in the state of Arizona.

David Klink is a healthcare and personal injury attorney with experience in a wide variety of legal areas.

I am passionate about helping people formulate plans to reach their goals. Since 1999, I have been involved in that process with hundreds of clients as a professional in the financial services industry. In 2011, I enrolled at Arizona Summit Law School. It wasn’t always easy balancing family and school while maintaining a growing financial services company. But with the help of my wife and others, along with some divine intervention, I graduated with honors (summa cum laude) in 2014. The rest is history. Now I spend my time helping individuals and families create and maintain solid estate plans – truly an important work! On a more personal note: Before becoming an attorney, I grew up in Scottsdale, went to Horizon High School, and then joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Following my active duty training, I went on a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and later graduated from Arizona State University – go Sun Devils! Along the way I moved to Mesa where I met my sweetheart – Jennifer. We were married in 1999 and have since been blessed with 6 children (4 boys & 2 girls)! So when I’m not at work, I’m usually playing with my family, fixing up the house, or playing basketball. I look forward to meeting you! – Sincerely, Marcus Seiter

Frederick C. Thomas (“Fred”) has lived in Arizona for nearly thirty consecutive years, except for six years living in California. Fred went to Deer Valley High School in Glendale, Arizona. He graduated from Arizona State University where he obtained a degree in political science. During college, Fred interned with former US Senator Jon Kyl. After graduating college, he worked for American Family Insurance for three years. Realizing that life as an insurance adjuster was not for him, Fred attended the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Fred is licensed in Arizona, California, and Colorado. Fred is also licensed in each California Federal District Court, the Arizona Federal District Court, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Fred has been practicing law since December 2003. Fred has practiced personal injury law since first becoming a lawyer. He has also represented individuals in habeas corpus matters ensuring that every individual received the Constitutional protections we all deserve. Fred’s knowledge and experience as a former insurance adjuster gives him an invaluable asset to his injury clients, he knows how the adjuster thinks, so he can be one step ahead of them. Fred also represents licensed contractors in various scenarios, whether defending their rights before the Registrar of Contractors or enforcing a mechanic’s lien and assisting in collecting unpaid contracts. Currently, Fred is a member of the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, a former President of the North Phoenix Bar Association, and a member of BNI Arizona, and was on the State Bar of Arizona’s Ethics Committee. Additionally, Fred was an adjunct professor, he taught Insurance Law, Remedies and Commercial Law. Fred spends his downtime mountain biking, playing golf, snowboarding, and hockey, and is a Sun Devil football season ticket holder, baseball, basketball, and hockey.

Patrick Sampair has over 39 years of legal experience and has helped thousands of Arizonans with their family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, child relocation, and alimony (or spousal maintenance) disputes. Mr. Sampair has expertise resolving complex financial matters that arise in a family law dispute, drawn in part from his experience litigating civil and criminal tax cases during his early years of law practice. Mr. Sampair is committed to providing his clients with effective and affordable legal representation; he is dedicated to minimizing the negative effects of divorce proceedings and related disputes can have on children. Mr. Sampair received his Juris Doctorate from Creighton University Law School in Nebraska in 1981, and a BA from Creighton University in 1976. He is admitted to practice law in Arizona and Minnesota and is a member of the State Bar of Arizona. Mr. Sampair is also admitted to practice before Arizona state and federal courts, the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits and the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for Arizona. Mr. Sampair is a current Judge Pro Tem in the Maricopa County Superior Courts, and a former Adjunct Professor of Law at the William Mitchell School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1992, he was appointed by the U.S. District Court of Arizona to represent indigent defendants pursuant to the federal Criminal Justice Act.

Brian G. Winter joined Stewart Law Group as associate attorney in 2017. With over 20 years in family law practice, Brian is a wealth of information and an experienced litigator. Areas of special interest to him are child custody mediation and collaborative divorce. He was trained as Guardian Ad Litem in Connecticut where he also served the court as family law Special Master (2006 – 2014). Recognized for his legal acumen and versatility, Brian is an estate planning and probate law attorney, too. Tech savvy, he likes SLG’s technology-based systems. Early in his legal career, Brian was a solo practitioner for six years. He knows first-hand how the right systems improve productivity and efficiency, saving his clients both stress and money.

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.