News & Resources

Thorpe Shwer attorney Brad Shwer helped organize the “Off The Record” event benefiting Phoenix Children’s Hospital on November 11, 2017 that featured live music from emerging country star Chris Janson. Brad is a Founding Member and current President-Elect of the PCH50, also known as “The Fifty,” which has a mission to harness the energy, enthusiasm and experience of 50 driven community leaders as the next generation supporters of Phoenix Children’s Hospital through financial fundraising, volunteer efforts, and awareness building. Thorpe Shwer is proud to support Phoenix Children’s Hospital and other community organizations in the Phoenix area.

Attorneys Andrea Marconi, André Merrett, and Kristin Paiva obtained a stipulated dismissal for a public official in a high-profile case stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct committed by a university assistant coach. The complaint alleged that Thorpe Shwer’s client was liable for actions or omissions allegedly taken during the investigation of Plaintiff’s claims. After filing a motion for summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity, Plaintiff agreed to a stipulated dismissal of the client.

Thorpe Shwer attorneys Brad Shwer, Kristin Paiva, and Tyler Grim obtained a stipulated dismissal for one of the nation’s largest franchisors in a matter in Arizona superior court. The complaint alleged counts of negligence, vicarious liability, and negligent hiring, training, and supervision. After Thorpe Shwer filed a motion to dismiss on behalf of the franchisor, the plaintiff agreed to a stipulated dismissal with prejudice.

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.