School Law
Welker & Pauole has assembled a school law team for representation of school districts in trial, administrative hearings and on risk management issues. The practice involves advising and representing districts and their insurance trusts on a variety of matters: property and casualty losses, personal injury litigation-including bus accidents, the acts of employees and students of the district, complex construction litigation, contracts, student disciplinary hearings, teacher termination hearings, wage-hour litigation, discrimination and sexual harassment litigation, Title VII and Title IX litigation, and interpretation of statutes, regulations and governing board policy. The firm also advises school districts on legislation and assists on lobbying activities.
Product Liability
Welker & Pauole’s attorneys have extensive experience in defending product manufacturers and dealers in product liability litigation involving a wide range of products and goods, including motorcycles, all terrain, water and recreational vehicles, water vehicles, heavy machinery, construction equipment, building products, electrical components, vehicle components and other goods and products. Our lawyers have worked with engineers and technical experts in myriad areas, such as mechanical and biomechanical engineering, product design, accident reconstruction and other scientific disciplines, in order to develop and present the strongest and most effective defense possible for its clients and their products.
Construction Litigation
Welker & Pauole’s construction and public contracting practice consists of both litigation and transactional work. Our attorneys have substantial experience drafting construction and other public contracts, general conditions, subcontracts, design agreements and related documents for both public and private projects. We have negotiated these documents with the largest development, design and construction firms in the United States. An important part of our practice includes auditing our clients’ construction documents. We comprehensively evaluate all contracts and other legal forms the clients use and update them based on recent legislation and judicial decisions.
The firm’s lawyers enjoy unparalleled experience in providing claims-avoidance and other legal services during construction. We assist owners behind the scenes by analyzing job progress and the project schedule, reviewing critical job correspondence and responding to important designer and contractor correspondence. We have provided these services on a number of public and private projects – including casinos, a major league baseball stadium and water and wastewater treatment plants.
WP lawyers have also represented clients in virtually every kind of litigated construction and public contracting dispute – including bid protests; delay, disruption, impact and differing site conditions claims; design and construction defects; construction accidents; architect and engineer professional negligence; surety claims and bad faith; and prime/subcontractor disputes. These cases have involved WP lawyers in complex, multi-party suits and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. We represent owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors and insurers in all aspects of construction law ranging from large public works projects to custom-built homes. The firm’s attorneys have also served as arbitrators and mediators in complex construction disputes.
Insurance Law
Welker & Pauole has particular expertise in a wide range of tort and insurance law matters. The firm’s experience is based on handling a large volume of insurance defense work for major insurance carriers, insurance trusts and large municipalities. Types of insurance matters and lawsuits handled by the firm’s attorneys include insurance coverage opinions, insurance bad faith, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, complex products liability, legal malpractice, construction accidents, open range cases, maritime actions, bus accidents, recreational user liability, premises liability and toxic torts, including sick-building cases. The firm’s attorneys have the specialized knowledge and versatility required to handle the most complex personal injury cases and a volume of soft tissue cases effectively and economically.
Environmental Law
Welker & Pauole’s environmental practice is dynamic and focused. We have represented local and national interests in endangered species matters and leaking underground storage tanks remediations. Our environmental attorneys have extensive experience in handling sophisticated environmental problems in these areas. We have been involved in federal and state administrative settlement negotiations and we have litigated environmental claims in federal and state court.
Our attorneys have assisted clients with environmental due diligence contract drafting and negotiations on a wide variety of real estate and lending transactions. Representative clients in this area have included large and small industrial, commercial, manufacturing and real estate companies, as well as major insurance companies.
Complex Commercial Litigation
Welker & Pauole has an accomplished litigation practice with expertise in all problem areas typically encountered in the business world. We are committed to quality, aggressive advocacy, service and cost-effective case management. Our firm’s trial lawyers have appeared in federal and state courts at all levels, and they routinely handle complex matters encompassing all substantive areas of law. WWP’s reputation as a new firm with excellent trial attorneys qualifies us in a wide variety of litigation matters ranging from personal injury and product liability suits to construction and professional malpractice claims.
Our firm has substantial complex litigation experience. Among others, its lawyers have defended a winning bidder in a $250 million state contract bid protest, and a major league baseball franchise in a construction dispute involving a $37 million delay/impact claim. Our firm’s lawyers have long been recognized for their successful trial practice, but they also have played an important role in advising clients in the areas of risk management, litigation avoidance and alternative dispute resolution.
Workers’ Compensation
Welker & Pauole’s workers’ compensation team is a dynamic group of attorneys who proactively work with our clients to minimize potential injury risks, reduce potential liability, formulate best practices in the administration of claims, and advise clients as to their rights and responsibilities under the Arizona Worker’s Compensation Act. In addition to our proactive approach to minimize potential exposure, our attorneys are experienced litigators, who regularly and successfully litigate all industrial-related disputes before the Industrial Commission of Arizona and the Arizona appellate courts. Our workers’ compensation team represents insurance carriers, third party administrators, and employers from a variety of industries, including professional sports teams, school districts, food production facilities, construction companies, transportation companies, car dealerships, medical facilities, and retail establishments.