PRACTICE AREAS

Business Litigation

Marty Harper is the managing partner of the Arizona Office and an experienced litigator. He has 35 years experience as a civil litigator, representing numerous entities in large complex civil litigation. Mr. Harper also is the head of the trial practice groups in the Phoenix office.

Mr. Harper currently serves as the chair of Mackrell International, a leading network of law firms from around the world. This network allows firms to remain close to their clients while at the same time offering them the expertise and knowledge obtained by professionals in other jurisdictions. In his role as chairman, Mr. Harper has a dynamic impact on the shape of the organization as it continues to add quality law firms to its membership to assist clients in reaching their on-going global legal needs. As chairman, he will chair meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam; Budapest, Hungary; Charleston, South Carolina; and Athens, Greece.

DISTINCTIONS

Mr. Harper is listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Construction Law (2009), Commercial Litigation (2006-2009) and Labor and Employment (1987-1992).

Recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine (2005-2008)

Selected for inclusion in Southwest Super Lawyers 2009 for General Litigation

COMMUNITY AND BAR INVOLVEMENT

Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Board of Directors

Maricopa County Bar Association

State Bar of Arizona

Labor Committee

Construction Committee

General Counsel for the Arizona State Democratic Party (1997-present)

American Bar Association

NOTABLE EXPERIENCE

Marty Harper has substantial experience in all types of commercial and business litigation. He has also represented owners, architects, developers and contractors in various construction related matters throughout Arizona, and is a member of the Firm’s group that serves as general counsel to the City of Phoenix’s Aviation Department on the airport’s Automated People Mover project. Mr. Harper also has expertise in labor relations and argued a significant labor case before the U.S. Supreme Court in January, 1991.

Recently, Mr. Harper represented:

A putative class of employees in a state-wide class action against Wal-Mart.

A certified class in a state-wide class action against Microsoft.

A national trucking firm in a large class action consisting of approximately 19,000 drivers.

Several bankruptcy trusties in large bankruptcy matters in Arizona.

Mr. Harper has previously represented:

An accounting firm in significant, high profile litigation in Arizona.

A client from Alaska, recovering damages for the tortious interference of a significant business opportunity in the State of Washington.

The bankruptcy trustee for MarkAir Airlines in Alaska, recovering $16.5 million in a breach of contract dispute.

The bankruptcy trustee for Kaiser Steel, recouping more than $65 million following a leveraged buyout.

More than 400 Continental Airline pilots following the 1981 strike at Continental Airlines, recovering more than $20 million for the pilots.

Significant represented decisions:

Arizona State Democratic Party v. State of Arizona, 210 Ariz. 527, 115 P.3d 121 (2005).

Southwest Holdings, L.L.C. v. Kohlberg & Co., 325 B.R. 417, 424 (Bankr. D. Ariz. 2005).

Southwest Holdings, L.L.C. v. Kohlberg & Co., 315 565-576 (Bankr. D. Ariz. 2004).

Bunker's Glass v. Pilkington, 206 Ariz. 9, 75 P.3d 99 (2003).

In re Kaiser Steel Corporation, 998 F.2d 783 (10th Cir. 1993).

Airlines Pilots Association, International v. O'Neill, 499 US 65, 111 S.Ct. 1127, 113 L.Ed.2d 51 (1991).

O'Neill v. Airlines Pilots Association, International, 939 F.2d 1199 (5th Cir. 1991).

EDUCATION

J.D., magna cum laude, Arizona State University College of Law, 1973

B.A., Gonzaga University, 1965

BAR ADMISSIONS

Arizona, 1973