Criminal lawyers within 50 miles of Scottsdale Arizona

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.

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.

When I headed off to college in 1962, I had every intention of completing my four years and then becoming a teacher. But it seems life had a very different plan for me. My vision for the future started to change during my junior year at Arizona State. It was then that I married my high school sweetheart. To build up our savings, I began working full-time and attending school part-time, which put me behind schedule from my original plan. I was alright with the change, though, because working ensured that my lovely new bride could still graduate on time. After my wife graduated, I went back to school full-time. But just as everything seemed to be getting back on track, another wrench was thrown into the works — I was drafted into the Vietnam War. I had never envisioned myself joining the armed forces, but I chose to embrace the idea by applying to Officer Candidate School for the U.S. Air Force. Unfortunately, though, my military examiner deemed that I had “bad feet,” which led to my exclusion from the war. It was only after my military career was denied that I realized I hadn’t made any backup plans for the future. Fortunately, an opportunity presented itself in the form of Arizona State’s new law school. It was scheduled to open just as I was debating what to do next. With my father’s encouragement, I decided to apply. The rest, as they say, is history. The journey that brought me into the work world was nothing like what I had imagined for my future. Still, the experience taught me a lot about life and, later, law. My biggest takeaway from the whole endeavor, though, was that life is unpredictable. Luckily for me, the surprises dropped in my path led me to one that was even more fitting in the long run. In my role as an attorney — whether I’m practicing estate planning, probate law, or criminal defense — I get to put my skills and interests to use in a way that can change my clients’ lives for the better. Each day, I have the opportunity to educate, console, and guide real people facing real dilemmas. On the best of days, those same people who came to me with concerns leave feeling heard, understood, and in an overall better place. It would be unrealistic for me to say that every possibility in life can be planned for — that’s simply not true. But after more than 45 years in the legal profession, I can safely declare three truths: 1) thorough planning goes a long way, 2) with a strong support system, you can make it through even the toughest of times, and 3) getting the right kind of help can make all the difference in protecting what matters most to you. If you’d like to learn more about how I could help ease your legal burden, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Matt Maerowitz grew up in Arizona and went to high school at Brophy. He received his undergraduate degree in economics from Boston College and later graduated from law school at the University of Arizona. Matt Maerowitz is an experienced trial attorney with a practice focused on DUI, criminal defense, and personal injury cases. Matt has successfully represented clients in numerous bench and jury trials over the past eight years. Before co-founding The Maerowitz Law Firm, LLC, Matt worked for a Scottsdale law firm where he drafted pleadings and criminal defense motions, primarily in DUI cases. Matt also worked for the Pima County Attorney’s Office as a student-prosecutor during law school. Matt’s experience with both sides of criminal law cases has helped him anticipate arguments from the prosecution in order to prepare the best defense for his clients. During law school, Matt Maerowitz was recognized for several accomplishments. He was recognized for his excellent oral advocacy skills as a member of the University of Arizona’s ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition Team. Matt was also a Managing Editor for the Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law.

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.

Alison Briggs is very knowledgeable and efficient. She really cares about her clients needs. No situation is ever too difficult for her to handle. Miss Briggs offers appointments that will fit around your schedule, and will accommodate you wherever she can. Attorney Alison Briggs is an Arizona Bar Licensed attorney in Good Standing practicing law throughout Arizona. Alison, a Massachusetts native, grew up on the East Coast. She received a Bachelor degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Alison went on receive a Masters in Social Work from Salem State university in Salem, Massachusetts. Alison is a Licensed Certified Social Worker. In her spare time,

Kaitlin Simone DiMaggio is a graduate of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. She went to law school so she could represent a close family member after he was unjustly sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole. Her involvement in his case drives her passion to help others who are enmeshed in the legal system. During her time in law school, Kaitlin worked over 350 hours of pro bono service working on the post-conviction cases of men and women who experienced a manifest injustice or who claimed innocence. She also holds a Master of Counseling degree from Arizona State University, and maintains her license to practice therapy. Before earning her law degree, Kaitlin earned a master's degree in counseling and she practiced as a licensed therapist. She worked at a court-mandated counseling agency running group and individual therapy sessions for those convicted of domestic violence and drug-related offenses, later becoming the Clinical Supervisor of an offender treatment program and a Program Manager for a government contract. Kaitlin is an advocate for criminal justice reform and is passionate about helping clients who are enmeshed in the legal system. Kaitlin has experience working on criminal cases involving domestic violence, sex-related offenses, DUI’s, and more. Additionally, she has worked on numerous post-conviction cases and parole hearings. Simone is also a zealous advocate for clients in family court, and has worked on cases involving custody disputes, divorce, and child support. Kaitlin is admitted to practice law by the State Bar of Arizona. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, the Criminal Justice Reform Team of the Arizona Faith Network, and the Healthy Families Arizona Advisory Board.

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.

Grand Canyon Law Group was founded with a single mission: to help good people accused of a crime take control of their case and protect their future. As former prosecutors, we know exactly how the State builds its cases. We use that insider knowledge to anticipate their strategies, challenge their evidence, and fight relentlessly for our clients. We practice exclusively in criminal law. It is all we do, and it is where we dedicate all of our skill, focus, and experience. With offices in Mesa, Gilbert, and Phoenix, we represent clients across the entire state of Arizona. No matter where you are, our team is ready to stand beside you during some of the most difficult moments of your life. Our approach is guided by our core values of Compassion, Honesty, and Results. We take the time to truly know our clients, not just their cases, because every story deserves to be told. We communicate openly and honestly, ensuring our clients know what to expect every step of the way. And we fight for the best possible outcome with the full weight of our experience, strategy, and dedication. Most people never expect to face criminal charges, and the process can feel overwhelming and unfair. We consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to walk with our clients through that process, protecting their rights and fighting for their future. At Grand Canyon Law Group, every case matters, and every client matters.

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.