This month, Jon Titus presented a seminar entitled “Protecting Your Business from Employee Theft.”  The seminar was presented through the State Bar of Arizona to attorneys licensed in Arizona.  Jon, along with Don Bays of Henry & Horne, LLP, discussed various topics, including how to detect and prevent embezzlement, signals to watch for, internal controls, and recovery of losses.  Employee theft is an epidemic threatening businesses of all sizes.  Jon has assisted many businesses with these issues throughout the years.

The attorneys of Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC can assist with your business and employment issues.  For more information, contact us at 480-483-9600, or contact Jon Titus directly at jtitus@tbl-law.com.

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC is pleased to annouce that two new attorneys have joined the firm.

Bradley S. Shelts has joined the firm's litigation team.  Brad will continue his litigation practice in the areas of employment, wrongful death and catastrophic injury, insurance defense, products liability, and other general and complex civil matters.  He is admitted to practice law in Arizona, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.  Brad brings immense experience in all aspects of litigation and trial practice to the firm.

Jason F. Wood has joined the firm's real estate and corporate practices.  Jason regularly represents clients in connection with purchase and sale agreements, master-planned community documents, commercial leases, and title and survey matters.  He also has substantial experience in real estate and business litigation, as well as administrative proceedings and utility regulation matters before the Arizona Corporation Commission.

We are excited to have Brad and Jason join our team.  Please help us welcome them both.  If you would like more information, contact Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC at 480-483-9600.

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC is proud to announce that Kurt M. Brueckner was recently named the 2012 recipient of the Legacy Award by the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce.  The Legacy Award is presented for outstanding volunteer acheivement.

The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in Scottsdale providing advocacy, education, networking, leadership and exposure opportunities to our member businesses.  The Chamber actively works to maintain Scottsdale’s high quality of life and create an environment where business innovation, excellence and entrepreneurship can thrive.

Kurt has been actively involved with the Scottsdale Chamber for many years and has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors.  He is also the 2008 recipient of the Chairman's Award.

Congratulations, Kurt!  For more information, please contact Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC at 480-483-9600.

Click here for a new article by Matthew B. Levine entitled "Image Is Everything."

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC is pleased to announce the arrival of its most recent estate planning attorney and litigator, Kari R. Meyrose, to the firm.  Ms. Meyrose will continue her practice primarily in the areas of estate planning and administration, probate and elder law, and litigation.  She has represented clients in a wide variety of matters including the development and implementation of strategic, comprehensive estate plans designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of clients, contested and uncontested trust and probate administration, guardianships and conservatorships, long term care planning, and business formation and succession planning.

TB&L's estate planning team continues to provide clients with experienced guidance and advice in the preparation of standard wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, general durable powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney, and living wills, as well as with thoughtful evaluation and recommendations regarding the development and implementation of more sophisticated estate planning tools and strategies designed to minimize taxes and achieve other family or business succession goals.  Additionally, we recognize that circumstances and relationships change over time.  Thus, we are able to review your existing estate planning documents and to assist with any necessary amendments or revisions.

If you would like an initial consultation regarding your estate planning or elder law needs, please contact TB&L at 480-483-9600, or contact Ms. Meyrose directly at kmeyrose@tbl-law.com.

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC principal Matthew B. Levine will be speaking on a panel designed for owners of small and medium sized businesses.  The panelists are experts in law, tax, finance, insurance, and employee relations.  This event is sponsored by the Business Community of Congregation Or Chadash.  The details are as follows:

What:  Small Business Owners/Solo Entrepreneurs Educational Seminar

When:  Sunday, February 12, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Where:  8355 East Hartford Drive, Suite 103, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Topics Covered:  Understanding the different business entities; tax and insurance considerations; employees vs. independent contractors; financing to grow your business; rent vs. own.

All are welcome to attend.  If you would like more information about this event or about Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC, please contact Mr. Levine at 480-483-9600.

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC is proud to announce that associate Laura C. Brooks was recently selected to serve as a member of the Steering Committee for the Arizona Women Lawyers Association.  Ms. Brooks is an active member of the Association and will now take on a leadership role.

The Arizona Women Lawyers Association is a statewide organization that promotes and encourages the success of women lawyers by providing members with information and support, by fostering connections among women lawyers, and by monitoring and celebrating the successes of members and women lawyers at large in our community.

For more information about Ms. Brooks, the Arizona Women Lawyers Association, or Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC, please contact us as 480-483-9600.

Today’s article by Jennifer C. Kerr of the Associated Press entitled “Boomers Feel Fit, in no Rush to Make Wills,” is a reminder of the importance of having financial and medical powers of attorney and a living will directive regardless of your age, health or financial status. These documents are an essential part of a complete estate plan, which may also include a will, one or more trusts and other tax/succession planning and probate avoidance tools.

To get started on a complete estate plan that meets your needs, or to discuss revisions to your current estate planning documents, please contact Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC at 480-483-9600.

Click here for a new article by Matthew B. Levine on the importance of trademarks to protect your brand.

For more information, contact Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC at 480-483-9600.

TB&L principal Matthew B. Levine continues to actively negotiate several real estate transactions on behalf of Canadian investors for apartment, condominium, residential, and commercial projects throughout Arizona.  Two TB&L clients were highlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal article regarding their investments (through purchases of multiple homes, apartment complexes and related projects) in Arizona’s active real estate market.

To read more about our clients’ dealings in Arizona in the Wall Street Journal, click here.

For more information or assistance with your real estate deals contact Mr. Levine or another of TB&L's real estate and business attorneys at 480-483-9600.

In January 2011, TB&L principals Jon A. Titus and Timothy E. Clements led the negotiations for one of the largest land deals in recent times in Arizona.  A TB&L client, together with another investor, purchased 1,200 acres of land in the San Tan Valley for $23,000 per acre.

This month, Mr. Titus and Mr. Clements closed a deal for the sale of 208 acres of the San Tan Valley land at a price of $43,000 per acre.

To read more about these significant deals in the Wall Street Journal, click here.

Congratulations to Mr. Titus and Mr. Clements!  For more information about TB&L, contact us at 480-483-9600.

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC is proud to announce that principal Timothy E. Clements has been named Chair of the Paiute Committee for the Scottsdale Bar Association.  Mr. Clements also serves on the Board of Directors for the Scottsdale Bar Association.

The Paiute Committee organizes the Paiute Center legal clinic.  The clinic provides legal services to low-income Scottsdale residents each month.  Titus Brueckner & Levine attorneys staff the clinic during the month of May each year.

For more information, please contact Titus Brueckner & Levine at 480-483-9600.

Click here for a new article by Laura C. Brooks on the Elder Justice Act.

For more information, contact Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC at 480-483-9600.

TB&L, a proud member of Legal Netlink Alliance ("LNA"), is pleased to announce the launch of LNA's new website.  Visit LNA's new website here. 

LNA is a global alliance of carefully selected, midsized, general practice, independent law firms.  Firms are selected for membership because they represent a high level of quality and integrity.  The network's membership of first class law firms gives the client access to quality legal representation virtually anywhere in the world.  LNA offers clients the breadth and resources of a large legal organization without the inherent inefficiencies, conflict issues, and impersonal nature that burden large international law firms.

LNA was designed to offer the multi-state or international client a superior alternative.  Personal attention from partners, affordable billing rates, and local expertise are among the advantages offered by network members.  As a result, clients have the resources of a large legal organization coupled with the personal approach of a locally recognized firm.

If you would like more information about LNA, please contact TB&L at 480-483-9600.

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC principal Kurt M. Brueckner has been re-elected as a member of the Board of Directors for The Charro Foundation.  The Charro Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports our community, youth, schools, and educators in a variety of ways.

Congratulations, Kurt!

Follow the link below for a new article by Jon A. Titus on the risks associated with sales of notes secured by real estate.

http://www.tbl-law.com/library/117-real-estate-note-transactions

For more information, contact Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC at 480-483-9600.

Follow the link below for a new article by Laura C. Brooks on the recent Supreme Court decision in Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes.

http://www.tbl-law.com/library/116-wal-mart-wins-major-victory-in-class-action-suit

For more information, contact Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC at 480-483-9600.

In June 2011, TB&L Principal Matthew B. Levine was selected as one of Arizona's Finest Lawyers.  Mr. Levine joins TB&L Principals Jon A. Titus, Kurt M. Brueckner, and Timothy E. Clements, all past recipients of this honor.

Arizona's Finest Lawyers honors attorneys nominated by their peers who have demonstrated a record of high acheivement, excellent legal skills, and a well-earned reputation for integrity.  TB&L is proud to have four members of such a distinguished group.  For more information about Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC, please contact us as 480-483-9600.

Each summer, attorneys from Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC participate in the Scottsdale Bar Association’s annual golf tournament.  Principals Matthew B. Levine and Timothy E. Clements, along with clients of TB&L, were pleased to participate in this year’s event at The Legacy Golf Resort, which marked the 29th anniversary of this extremely fun and friendly tournament.  All TB&L attorneys are active members of the Scottsdale Bar Association, with principal Kurt M. Brueckner a past recipient of its Award of Excellence, and principal Timothy E. Clements currently a member of its Board of Directors.   TB&L is proud of its long standing involvement with the Scottsdale Bar Association.

Follow the link for a new article by Laura C. Brooks on important legislative changes to Arizona's community association statutes:

http://www.tbl-law.com/library/114-new-laws-affect-community-associations

For more information, contact Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC at 480-483-9600.

Follow the link for a new article by Kelley L. Cathie on legislative changes to Arizona's impact fee laws:

http://www.tbl-law.com/library/115-important-changes-to-arizonas-impact-fee-laws

For more information, contact Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC at 480-483-9600.

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC principals Jon A. Titus and Matthew B. Levine were pleased to recently participate in the Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company Law Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada.  TB&L represents Maracay Homes, the Arizona homebuilder of the WRECO family of companies, as well as WRECO.  Litigation and transactional lawyers ranging from Washington, D.C. to Washington State, along with WRECO executives, participated in the two-day Law Summit.  TB&L is proud to be part of the WRECO team of lawyers and WRECO’s virtual law firm.

For more information about TB&L, contact us at 480-483-9600.

Each May, Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC sponsors the legal clinic at the Paiute Neighborhood Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.  This year, TB&L attorneys Timothy E. Clements, Kelley L. Cathie, and Laura C. Brooks staffed the clinic and volunteered their time to help members of the community with their legal issues. 

The Paiute Center legal clinic is organized by the Scottsdale Bar Association.  The clinic provides legal services to low-income Scottsdale residents each month.  TB&L is proud to participate in this program.

Jon A. Titus and Matthew B. Levine attended the Spring Meeting of the Legal Netlink Alliance (“LNA”) May 19, 2011, through May 20, 2011, in Chicago, Illinois.  Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC (TB&L) is an active member of LNA, a worldwide alliance of leading small and medium-sized law firms.  LNA gives our clients access to over 1,700 of the most prestigious lawyers throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, and allows the attorneys at TB&L to see that our clients receive top shelf legal representation when legal matters arise outside of our jurisdiction.

During the Spring Meeting, the Membership recommended the hiring of an Executive Director to assist in expanding LNA to other cities throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia.  The Executive Committee of LNA (including Jon A. Titus as a Member of the Executive Committee) adopted such recommendation and will move forward with efforts to increase LNA’s worldwide coverage.

Please contact TB&L at 480-483-9600 if you have transactions or litigation anywhere throughout the world.  Most likely, we will be able to obtain counsel for your legal needs.

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC is proud to announce that partner Timothy E. Clements was recently selected to the Board of Directors for the Scottsdale Bar Association.  Mr. Clements has been an active member of the Association for the past six years and looks forward to serving in a leadership role.

For more information about Mr. Clements or Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC, contact us at 480-483-9600.

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC is proud to announce that Jon A. Titus, Kurt M. Brueckner, Matthew B. Levine, and John R. Tellier have again received Martindale-Hubbell's highest peer review rating of AV Preeminent in 2011. 

In 2010, Mr. Tellier received recognition for having been an AV rated attorney for 20 years, 1990-2010. 

AV Preeminent is the highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards.  The AV rating is the pinnacle of professional excellence earned through a strenuous peer review rating process that is managed and monitored by Martindale-Hubbell.

For further information about Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC, contact us at 480-483-9600 today.

Scottsdale, Arizona - Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC is pleased to announce it has joined the premier international network of law firms known as Legal Netlink Alliance.

This multi-discipline international network of law firms offers clients the personal touch and accountability one would expect from a mid-sized local law firm, with the resources of the larger international firms, but without the inherent inefficiencies, conflict issues and impersonal nature that characterizes many international law firms. Because the firms are independent, the needs and interests of their clients always come first. Legal Netlink Alliance allows firms to provide integrated, cost effective, high quality, personalized service.

Jon A. Titus, senior partner of Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC, stated: "By joining this very important network, Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC has access to resources which allow us to provide an even higher level of service to our client base, both nationally and internationally.”

Legal Netlink Alliance is an international organization of carefully selected mid-sized general-practice independent law firms. Comprised of over 95 law firms world-wide, these firms were chosen because of their track record of integrity and quality. Member firms are located in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Mexico.

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC, is a mid-sized commercial law firm. Its practice areas include commercial litigation, business law, real estate, securities, intellectual property and estate planning. The firm recently celebrated its 20th anniversary of providing quality, results-oriented legal representation in a responsive and cost-effective manner.

Contact: Jon A. Titus
Email: jtitus@tbl-law.com

Scottsdale, Arizona -- Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC is pleased to announce the recent closings of two substantial merger and acquisition deals in August and September. In August, Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC acquired CS Innovations, LLC, a Scottsdale based company that provides digital safety systems for nuclear plants. In September, Harris Private Bank acquired Stoker Ostler Wealth Advisors, Inc., a Scottsdale based investment advisory and financial planning services firm that is one of the largest independent advisory firms in Maricopa County. Kurt M. Brueckner and Todd M. Johnson of Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC helped negotiate and successfully close these transactions for CS Innovations and Stoker Ostler.

Todd M. Johnson of Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC stated: "The recent acquisitions of CS Innovations and Stoker Ostler by large, national companies is not only a testament to the value created by the principals of CS Innovation and Stoker Ostler, but also reflective of the potential for renewed growth in the Arizona economy. Proactive companies are often the best positioned to benefit during an economic recovery. Large investments by national companies in Arizona businesses reflects a belief that the Arizona economy is poised for growth."

Titus Brueckner & Levine PLC, is a mid-sized commercial law firm that has significant experience in merger and acquisition deals of all sizes. Its other practice areas include commercial litigation, business law, real estate, securities, intellectual property and estate planning. The firm recently celebrated its 20th anniversary of providing quality, results-oriented legal representation in a responsive and cost-effective manner.

TB&L congratulates Tim Clements on becoming a partner with our firm.  Tim has been with TB&L since 2002 and will continue his thriving practice in the areas of real estate, business transactions, and general commercial transactions. 

Tim is currently the Chairman of the Real Property Section for the State Bar of Arizona and a member of the Board of Directors of the Scottsdale Bar Association.  In 2011, Tim was selected as one of Arizona's Finest Lawyers. 

Congratulations Tim!

TB&L welcomes its newest attorney, Laura C. Brooks. Laura practices primarily in the areas of commercial, securities, business, real estate, and employment litigation, and was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in 2010. She is currently a member of the American Bar Association, Scottsdale Bar Association, and Arizona Women Lawyers Association. Laura received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2010. While in law school, she was a Comments Editor for San Diego Law Review, an Executive Editor for the Journal of Contemporary Legal Issues, and a teaching assistant for the legal writing program. She also externed for the Honorable Susan R. Bolton in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and clerked for the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2006, Laura graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and certificates in ethics and civic education.