News & Resources

In June, Thorpe Shwer attorney, Tyler Grim, participated in a panel presentation at the 2017 State Bar Convention entitled “The Ethical Pitfalls of Social Media.” The presentation focused on several unique ethical issues that arise when attorneys use both personal and professional social media platforms (i.e. LinkedIn, Avvo, Facebook, etc.) including improper solicitation and advertising, conflicts of interest, the inadvertent formation of an attorney-client relationship, and the inappropriate practice of law across state lines.   

Thorpe Shwer attorney, Tyler Grim, recently moderated a panel featuring several prominent Phoenix bankruptcy practitioners and the Honorable Edward P. Ballinger, which discussed significant developments in 9th Circuit bankruptcy jurisprudence in 2016. The panel analyzed and discussed several decisions rendered by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and 9th Circuit Bankruptcy Court of Appeals, which altered the landscape of Chapter 11, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 practice,

Thorpe Shwer, P.C., a leading litigation boutique firm in Phoenix, Arizona, announces that William Thorpe, Bradley Shwer, Andrea Marconi, Kristin Paiva, Jamie Gill Santos, and Adam Reich have been named in Super Lawyers 2017. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding attorneys who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thompson Reuters-Legal Division, makes the selections after conducting a rigorous process that includes a statewide survey of attorneys, independent evaluation of candidates, and peer review. Each year, no more than 5 percent of lawyers in Arizona receive this honor. Mr. Thorpe was named as a Super Lawyer in Civil Litigation: Defense, Mr. Shwer in Personal Injury General: Defense, and Ms. Marconi in Business Litigation. Ms. Paiva, Ms. Gill Santos, and Mr. Reich were all named as Rising Stars.

Thorpe Shwer is proud to announce that founding partner William Thorpe was named one of the top 50 lawyers in the State of Arizona by Super Lawyers in the 2017 rankings. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters organization, is a research-driven, peer influenced rating service of lawyers.

Thorpe Shwer attorneys Brad Shwer, Kristin Paiva, and Jamie Gill Santos successfully defended one of the nation’s largest franchisors in a matter in Florida state court. The complaint alleged various allegations of negligence. Following briefing and oral argument, the court granted the franchisor’s motion to dismiss on 3 separate, but related, cases, thereby dismissing all claims against the client.

In March, Thorpe Shwer partner, Kristin Paiva, presented to attorneys and other industry leaders at the Winter meeting of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel about how state regulations are treated in the context of the Federal Employers Liability Act (“FELA”). 45 U.S.C. § 54a provides that certain regulations, standards, and requirements prescribed by a State agency are deemed to be “statutes” for the purposes of Sections 53 and 54 of the Federal Employers Liability Act. Ms. Paiva’s presentation, entitled: “The Scope of Section 54a: An analysis of the actionability of state regulations under the FELA,” explored the kinds of state regulations that should be considered “statutes” and the reasons why it matters in the context of FELA litigation. Ms. Paiva also examine the applicable federal precedent and scrutinized arguments made by plaintiff’s counsel in favor of a broad interpretation. 

Thorpe Shwer, P.C., a leading litigation boutique firm in Phoenix, Arizona, is proud to announce that Martindale-Hubbell has rated one of our founding partners, William Thorpe, as AV® Preeminent™ for twenty years. Mr. Thorpe received the highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards.  

Thorpe Shwer, P.C., a leading litigation boutique firm in Phoenix, Arizona, announces that it has been selected by its peers for inclusion in the 23rd edition of The Best Lawyers in America for its work in Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, and Railroad Law.

Thorpe Shwer attorneys Brad Shwer and Kristin Paiva successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of a husband and wife seeking to recover damages resulting from a breach of a promissory note. After the judgment was issued, the parties entered into a favorable settlement agreement.

Thorpe Shwer, P.C. attorneys Bill Thorpe, Brad Shwer, and Jamie Gill Santos were successful in arguing to the Ninth Circuit that the District of Nevada’s ruling on summary judgment in favor of its major Class I railroad client should be affirmed. The case was brought by a trespasser who was struck along mainline track in New Mexico and sustained serious injuries. The trespasser’s wife also sued. The plaintiffs raised numerous theories of liability against both the railroad operating the train involved in the accident, as well as another railroad that owned the tracks in question. The district court granted both railroads summary judgment on all claims, finding that the only duty owed to the trespasser under New Mexico law was not to willfully or wantonly injure him and that there was no evidence suggesting the railroads acted in such a manner. The plaintiffs appealed the summary judgment decision pertaining to …