The Watkin Law Office has an extensive track record in commercial litigation.  Clark Watkin spent most of his early career as a commercial litigator and prosecuted and defended countless claims for breach of contract (e.g., purchase and sale agreements, leases, service agreements, non-competition clauses, etc.), fraud, construction accidents, construction defects, real estate disputes and other business-related matters.  While such claims often involve corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies, he has also handled matters for individuals, closely-held companies, family partnerships and sole proprietors.   

The Watkin Law Office also assists other lawyers and law firms in Arizona and other states in commercial litigation matters when they encounter "conflicts of interest" or require "local counsel." 

Conflicts of interest problems arise for lawyers when attempting to litigate and defend claims involving multiple parties who are (or claim to be) essentially "on the same side."  Ethical, logistical and practical considerations frequently make such global representation either impossible, uncomfortable or just plain reckless.  Therefore, the lawyers or the parties themselves must locate separate and independent counsel. 

Similarly, out-of-state lawyers not licensed to practice law in Arizona often need to retain "local counsel" to appear on their behalf in order to prosecute or defend claims in the Arizona Courts.  For example, assume a claim needs to be filed or defended in Arizona and the party already has an out-of-state attorney he wishes to represent him.  That non-resident attorney can then arrange for The Watkin Law Office to serve as its "local counsel" in the matter to file pleadings, make court appearances, engage in pretrial discovery and generally advise the out-of-state attorney on the appropriate legal procedures unique to the Arizona Court system.  Customarily, this arrangement also involves The Watkin Law Office filing a motion with the Court to associate the out-of-state lawyer on a temporary or "pro hac vice" basis.  If the Court grants the motion, the out-of-state lawyer will be permitted to appear in Court and practice law in Arizona just for that case.

The Watkin Law Office represents both plaintiffs and defendants in these matters, usually on an hourly fee basis, depending on the nature, urgency and anticipated duration of the engagement.

Call Clark Watkin at 480.281.3838