General Information

Year founded: 1999
This is the year the firm (or its earliest predecessor entity) was founded.
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Overview

Content is provided by the firm.

Engelman Berger is comprised of experienced lawyers who are well recognized for their expertise and commitment to resolve commercial disputes and assist clients in preventing legal problems through proper planning. The firms’ clients are national and local lenders, borrowers, lessors, tenants, family-owned businesses, developers, franchise owners, municipalities and investors. Industries served include banking and lending, credit unions, real estate, construction, restaurant, hospitality, medical, retail, wholesale, and agricultural, among others. The firm provides creative and focused representation in all federal and state courts, bankruptcy court, arbitrations, mediations and settlement negotiations. The firm facilitates business and real estate transactions through counsel, negotiation and proper documentation.

The firm’s lawyers are problem solvers and focused on listening to and helping clients reach their goals. The lawyers are recognized with Martindale Hubbell AV ratings, listings in “Super Lawyers,” and U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Lawyers in America,” among other recognitions. The firms is locally owned and the lawyers take an active role in community activities.

Practice Areas

Our focus is the prevention and resolution of legal issues in business. Our lawyers concentrate their efforts in the following areas:

Debtor and Creditor Rights
Prosecution and defense of collection actions and enforcement of rights in collateral, out of court and court-supervised liquidations, receiverships, and related transactions and lawsuits.

Bankruptcy
Assertion and protection of rights in bankruptcy and reorganization cases on behalf of lenders, borrowers, trustees, committees, purchasers of assets, lessors, secured creditors, shareholders, management, or other interested parties.

Mediation
Facilitation of the resolution of disputes through practical and cost-effective mediation.

Water Law
Comprehensive client representation in all aspects of water law, including representing cities, developers, homeowners' associations, golf course owners, companies and individuals regarding purchasing and leasing water rights for property development, meeting the Groundwater Code’s assured water supply and management plan requirements, drafting and negotiating water service and effluent service agreements, perfecting Colorado River entitlements, drafting water cooperative agreements, analyzing and drafting agreements relating to the recharge and storage of water, among many other water rights matters.

Commercial Litigation
Representation in state and federal courts and other tribunals in disputes arising from business relationships, business transactions, and business deals gone awry.

Loan Workouts
Negotiation and documentation of loan modifications and extensions.

Business and Financial Restructuring
Assist owners and management of financially troubled businesses in restructuring and reorganizing affairs in or out of court.

Commercial Landlord Tenant Law
Negotiation, documentation, enforcement, and counsel to clients that are parties to commercial leases.

Loan Documentation
Negotiation and documentation of loan and security documents.

Business Law
Advise business owners with a focus on prevention of future problems and swift resolution of everyday legal problems encountered in owning and managing a business.

Business Formation
Assist in selection and formation of the appropriate business entities to suit the client's needs.

Real Estate
Negotiation and documentation of real estate sale, lease, and financing transactions, as well as resolution of disputes in implementation or compliance with agreements related to the real estate transaction.

Automobile Dealership Law
Representation in disputes and assistance in developing policies to protect the dealership in its numerous transactions with customers, suppliers, and other parties.

Credit Union Law
Representation of credit unions in obtaining charters, rechartering, consumer lending compliance, and enforcement matters.

Buying and Selling of Businesses
Negotiation and documentation of the sale or purchase of all or part of a client's business or assets.

Rankings

Engelman Berger, PC is nationally ranked in 2 practice areas and metro ranked in 10 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.

Read how Best Law Firms ranks firms

National Rankings

Tier 3
Tier 3 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 3 for Litigation - Real Estate

Metro Rankings

Phoenix
Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Tier 1 for Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier 1 for Litigation - Real Estate

About Our Clients

Our problem-solving approach has led us to appreciate many long-term client relationships that underscore our commitment to our clients.

Rankings

National Rankings

Tier 3
Tier 3 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 3 for Litigation - Real Estate

Regional Rankings

Phoenix
Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Tier 1 for Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier 1 for Litigation - Real Estate
Tier 1 for Real Estate Law
Tier 2 for Appellate Practice
Tier 2 for Banking and Finance Law
Tier 2 for Litigation - Banking and Finance
Tier 3 for Water Law

Practice Areas

The below are areas of legal specialty volunteered by the firm and do not designate a specialty in which a Best Law Firms ranking is held.
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Mediation
  • Real Estate Law
  • Water Law

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Engelman Berger, PC has 10 lawyers recognized for individual performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. By receiving this Best Lawyers recognition from their peers for their professional excellence, these lawyers made Engelman Berger, PC eligible for evaluation for Best Law Firms rankings. For almost two decades, Best Lawyers has awarded these singular accolades, making them the foundation of our Best Law Firms awards. Read more about our Best Lawyers process here.
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Main Location

Phoenix, AZ
2800 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200
Phoenix, AZ 85004
United States
602-271-9090 Call our Phoenix, AZ location at 602-271-9090 Get Directions Get directions to our Phoenix, AZ location

Management and Personnel

Managing Shareholder
Patrick Clisham
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