Jaburg Wilk

09/03/2026

Congratulations to Jaburg Wilk litigation attorney Kyle J. Kopinski on being named to the Board of Directors of the Gift of Adoption Fund, Arizona Chapter!

"The Gift of Adoption Fund does extraordinary work removing the financial barriers that prevent families from completing the adoption process. Every child deserves a permanent, stable home, and I am honored to serve this organization and contribute to its mission of making that a reality for more families in Arizona," said Kopinski.

Gift of Adoption Fund is a national nonprofit that helps unite children with loving families by providing grants that cover the cost of completing an adoption. So far, the organization has awarded more than $25.2 million in grants, helping more than 7,286 children find a permanent home. The Arizona Chapter works to support adoptive families across the state who are facing financial barriers.

A few highlights about Kyle:

Handles contractual disputes, business matters, real estate, employment contracts, and other commercial matters at Jaburg Wilk
Earned his J.D. from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University
Earned his B.S. in Finance from the University of Arizona
Previously served as President of the Board of Directors for The Pointe Hilton Condos at Squaw Peak

Congratulations, Kyle! We're proud to see you giving back in such a meaningful way.

09/02/2026

Arizona does not require an LLC to have an operating agreement, but skipping one can cost you the personal liability protection you formed the LLC to get. A generic template will not fix that risk. Business attorney Michelle Ronan outlines what a custom agreement should cover, from ownership splits and profit sharing to what happens when a member leaves, passes away, or wants out.

Partner estate planning attorney Michelle Ronan explains why a custom operating agreement is crucial for Arizona LLCs, highlighting five key reasons.

08/31/2026

We're proud to share that our founder and managing partner, Gary Jaburg, has joined the Board of Directors of The Foster Alliance.

The Foster Alliance is the largest provider of essential services for foster children in Arizona and New Mexico. When a child enters foster care, the organization steps in fast, providing everything from a bed and clothes to school supplies and birthday gifts. In 2025 alone, they grew their Phoenix Resource Center, opened a new center in Flagstaff, and launched mobile units to reach even more kids in need.

Gary put it simply: "Every child in foster care deserves stability, safety, and the chance to thrive. The Foster Alliance does remarkable work supporting foster children and the families that care for them."

Gary founded Jaburg Wilk more than 40 years ago and has grown it into one of Arizona's most respected law firms. Outside the office, he's long been active in giving back, serving on the boards of SARRC and Gesher Disability Resources, among other community roles.

Congratulations, Gary! We're excited to see the impact you'll help The Foster Alliance make.

08/28/2026

Business attorney Neal Bookspan has watched skilled attorneys spend years holding themselves back, even when they had everything they needed to succeed. The problem was never a lack of talent or opportunity. It was fear, dressed up as caution or bad timing, convincing smart, capable professionals that limits were real when they weren't.

Neal Bookspan, Shareholder at Jaburg Wilk, examines why talented professionals stay stuck for years and how to tell real limits from fear in disguise.

08/26/2026

A taxpayer with real health problems from unsafe housing still owed tax on the full settlement, plus a 20% penalty, after failing to prove the payment was made because of a physical injury. Tax attorney Annalyse Harris breaks down the Ninth Circuit ruling and the strict proof settlements now require under IRC Section 104.

Most settlement proceeds are taxable. Tax attorney Annalyse Harris explains the Ninth Circuit ruling and key tax rules for settlement income.

08/24/2026

Congratulations to Jaburg Wilk Shareholder Micalann C. Pepe on her expanded leadership role with the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC)!

Micalann was just re-elected as a Senior Director on the FDCC Board, and she's taking on several new national leadership roles, including:

• Chair of the Projects & Objectives Committee, which oversees the work of FDCC's 24 Substantive Law Sections
• Vice Chair of the Membership Recruitment Committee
• Vice Chair of the Membership Development Committee
• Member of the Finance & Budget Committee

"I am grateful for the continued trust of my colleagues across the Federation, and I look forward to serving the Federation over the coming year under President Jennifer Johnsen's leadership," said Pepe.

Micalann focuses her practice on insurance coverage and bad-faith litigation. She previously chaired FDCC's 2026 Winter Meeting Program, served as Past President of the Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, and was Past Chair of the ABA TIPS Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee.

Way to go, Micalann! We're proud to have you on the Jaburg Wilk team.

08/21/2026

A stranger who looked like he might be homeless rode up on a bike outside a restaurant, walked inside, and put a hand on a business attorney's shoulder from behind. Before anyone could react, he whispered a short message, turned around, and rode off into the evening.

Neal Bookspan was waiting for a table with his family when it happened, and the moment stuck with him long after the surprise wore off. It raises a question worth sitting with: where does real change in a workplace, a courtroom, or any room full of people actually start, and who has to wait for permission to start it?

Business attorney Neal Bookspan reflects on an unexpected encounter with a stranger and what it reveals about building a better workplace culture.

08/19/2026

Big news! Jaburg Wilk shareholder Alden A. Thomas has been named to the Phoenix Business Journal's 2026 Class of 40 Under Forty.

This award honors 40 of the Valley's top business and community leaders under age 40. It celebrates their hard work and their impact on the Greater Phoenix community.

Alden leads two departments at Jaburg Wilk: Employment Law and Education Law. She helps employees and employers with issues like wage disputes, harassment claims, discrimination cases, and whistleblower matters. In her education law work, she supports students and teachers with things like tuition disputes, disability accommodations, and tenure decisions.

Her work hasn't gone unnoticed:

• Southwest Super Lawyer Rising Star (2020–2026)
• Best Lawyers in America (2026)
• Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum (2023–2026)
• Phoenix Magazine Top Lawyer in Education, Labor & Employment (2022–2025)

Beyond the courtroom, Alden gives back. She volunteers with the TIME'S UP Legal Defense Fund and Employment 411, has served on nonprofit boards, and coaches moot court teams for college and law students.

Congratulations, Alden — well deserved.

08/17/2026

If you die without a will in Arizona, state law decides who inherits your property, not you. That can mean unmarried partners, stepchildren, and even pets get left out entirely. August is National Make-A-Will Month, a good time to think about who should be protecting your family and your wishes.

Estate planning attorney Michelle Ronan explains why Arizona intestacy laws can leave unmarried partners, stepchildren, and pets without a say.

08/14/2026

A lawyer may walk into a client meeting with an idea no one else has simply because of something they read months earlier. Business attorney Neal Bookspan considers why books, magazines, blogs, and even novels can matter in professional life, especially when everyone is competing for the same attention.

Business attorney Neal Bookspan considers how reading can influence professional thinking, conversations, client relationships, and reputation.