General Information
Year founded:
1978
This is the year the firm (or its earliest predecessor entity) was founded.
Overview
Content is provided by the firm.
At Gallagher & Kennedy, we are in business to help you seize opportunities and overcome obstacles.
For over 45 years, we have built an exemplary national reputation and multi-disciplinary legal practice, and combined with the personal client service found only in a local law firm, G&K provides boutique service to every client. From individuals to employers, startups and small businesses to publicly traded corporations, professional sports franchises to public entities, local to national, the G&K team values client relationships over single legal transactions. We foster an environment of teamwork and collaboration, which provides our clients with depth and breadth of knowledge on every legal matter.
While our roots run deep in Arizona and the Southwest, our client relationships extend across the United States and, in several cases, around the globe. Our institutional clients range from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and individuals, including Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, The Fertilizer Institute, Grand Canyon University, and Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).
Gallagher & Kennedy’s reputation for excellence enables us to attract challenging, sophisticated, and often high-profile legal work. Our success comes from an unwavering focus on the needs of our clients and the exceptional talent and contributions of our attorneys and professional staff. We are extremely proud of our employment longevity, with over half of the firm’s employees having served on our team for the majority or entirety of their careers. This enables us to continually attract and retain top national and local legal talent to serve our clients throughout the United States.
We are known not only for the results we deliver to clients but also for our role as engaged corporate citizens. From the firm’s very inception, our founding partners have led by example in serving the community through individual and corporate volunteerism. Our team is encouraged to serve in capacities of either professional or personal interest, with many active on boards, councils, committees, and a myriad of philanthropic endeavors across our community.
Rankings
Gallagher & Kennedy, P.A. is nationally ranked in 6 practice areas and metro ranked in 40 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.
Read how Best Law Firms ranks firmsNational Rankings
Tier 2
Tier 2 for Appellate Practice
Tier 2 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 2 for Natural Resources Law
Tier 3
Tier 3 for Environmental Law
Tier 3 for Litigation - Environmental
Metro Rankings
Phoenix
Tier 1 for Administrative / Regulatory Law
Tier 1 for Appellate Practice
Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for Construction Law
Select Clients
- Arizona Cardinals
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.
- Grand Canyon University (GCU)
- Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).
Highlighted Client Comments
All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.
Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Shannon Clark has helped several members of our family in complicated cases. He and his staff have been helpful and responsive at every stage of these cases. The hard and dedicated work put in by this team has resulted in exceptional outcomes. Thank you Shannon and Gallagher & Kennedy!
David Irvine
David Irvine
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Woody Thompson is an excellent lawyer with broad range of experience, making him effective in any situation.
Barry Mitchell
– Mitchell | Stein | Carey | Chapman
Litigation - Labor and Employment
We have utilized this firm for over 10 years. I have recommended Mr. Johnsen and the firm several times.
Robin Orchard
– Orchard Medical Consulting
Employment Law - Management
They have done an outstanding job for me over the last 20 plus years.
Jim Stockwell
– Stockwell Scientific
Litigation - Labor and Employment
They have done an outstanding job for me over the last 20 plus years.
Jim Stockwell
– Stockwell Scientific
Litigation - Labor and Employment
During my seven year tenure we have not had to move to litigation to resolve our legal issues. However, had it come to that, I would want Don Johnsen & G&K representing my school district.
Michael Wright
– Blue Ridge Unified School District
Employment Law - Management
The legal support received by the attorney's at G&K is outstanding. My primary contact is Don Johnsen. He is responsive, knowledgeable and accessible. I have great confidence and appreciation for the legal direction provided. I've used "DJ" for over seven years for all my employment issues and will continue using G&K in the future.
Kind regards,
Dr. Michael L. Wright
Michael Wright
– Blue Ridge Unified School District
Corporate Law
The customer service of Gallagher & Kennedy in their quick response and dedication to understanding the issue has been exceptional as we have worked through many difficult issues. Their work to find creative solutions to meet our needs has been above and beyond expectations. They are easy to work with and always in a collegial manner.
Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Gallagher & Kennedy is very compassionate and professional.
Criminal Defense: General Practice
Gallagher & Kennedy is excellent. It has many outstanding practitioners in a large number of areas of practice. It is long established and has an excellent reputation. We have always found them to be professional, honorable, ethical and up to the challenge. They have done a tremendous job in the sports area. I would consider them top-tier in many areas, including commercial litigation, sports law and other areas.
Criminal Defense: General Practice
Gallagher & Kennedy has great service and good follow-up, producing outstanding results.
Employment Law - Management
Don Johnsen and Gallagher & Kennedy are extremely knowledgeable with multi-stage employment and management issues. They are always responsive and always thorough.
Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Gallagher & Kennedy is a professional team and provides outstanding representation. Shannon Clark is the best personal injury lawyer in the USA.
Environmental Law
I have worked with Chris Leason and others at Gallagher & Kennedy for many years now. Chris is great with support, whether for litigation or comments, and is well versed in how the science interacts with the law.
Bill Herz
– National Lime Association
Commercial Litigation
We believe we have the best litigation team in Gallagher & Kennedy in the state in relation to insurance coverage dispute.
Brad Worsley
– Novo Power
Rankings
National Rankings
Tier 2
Tier 2 for Appellate Practice
Tier 2 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 2 for Natural Resources Law
Tier 3
Tier 3 for Environmental Law
Tier 3 for Litigation - Environmental
Tier 3 for Litigation - Real Estate
Regional Rankings
Phoenix
Tier 1 for Administrative / Regulatory Law
Tier 1 for Appellate Practice
Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for Construction Law
Tier 1 for Corporate Law
Tier 1 for Criminal Defense: General Practice
Tier 1 for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier 1 for DUI / DWI Defense
Tier 1 for Employment Law - Management
Tier 1 for Energy Regulatory Law
Tier 1 for Environmental Law
Tier 1 for Insurance Law
Tier 1 for Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier 1 for Litigation - Construction
Tier 1 for Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier 1 for Litigation - Municipal
Tier 1 for Litigation - Real Estate
Tier 1 for Natural Resources Law
Tier 1 for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Tier 1 for Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
Tier 1 for Real Estate Law
Tier 1 for Tax Law
Tier 2 for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Tier 2 for Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Tier 2 for Commercial Finance Law
Tier 2 for Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Tier 2 for Energy Law
Tier 2 for Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier 2 for Litigation - Environmental
Tier 2 for Litigation - Securities
Tier 2 for Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier 2 for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Tier 2 for Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
Tier 2 for Trusts and Estates
Tier 3 for Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier 3 for Franchise Law
Tier 3 for Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Tier 3 for Securities Regulation
Tier 3 for Utilities Law
Santa Fe
Tier 1 for Environmental Law
Tier 1 for Natural Resources Law
Tier 2 for Litigation - Environmental
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.
- Administrative / Regulatory Law
- Appellate Practice
- Aviation Law
- Banking and Finance Law
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Commercial Finance Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
- Construction Law
- Copyright Law
- Corporate Compliance Law
- Corporate Governance Law
- Corporate Law
- Criminal Defense: General Practice
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Electronic Discovery and Information Management Law
- Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Employment Law - Management
- Energy Law
- Energy Regulatory Law
- Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
- Environmental Law
- Equipment Finance Law
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
- Franchise Law
- Government Contracts
- Government Relations Practice
- Insurance Law
- Labor Law - Management
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
- Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
- Litigation - Antitrust
- Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Litigation - Construction
- Litigation - Environmental
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
- Litigation - Municipal
- Litigation - Securities
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
- Real Estate Law
- Sports Law
- Tax Law
Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
Gallagher & Kennedy, P.A. has 45 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 Gallagher & Kennedy, P.A. 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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Client Comments
All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.
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Awards
Awards are self-reported by firms and are not verified by the Best Law Firms rankings.
- No. 1 "Best Place to Work, Medium-Sized Companies," Phoenix Business Jounral
- No. 1 "Best Place to Work, Medium-Sized Companies," Phoenix Business Jounral
- Ranked 1 - Environment (including water rights), Chambers USA
- Ranked 1 - Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Chambers USA
- Ranked 1 - Environment (including water rights), Chambers USA
- Ranked 1 – Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Chambers USA
- Ranked 1 – Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Chambers USA
- Ranked 1 – Environment (including water rights), Chambers USA
- Ranked 1 - Environment (including water rights), Chambers USA
- Ranked 1 - Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Chambers USA
- Ranked 1 – Environment (including water rights), Chambers USA
- Ranked 3 - Litigation: General Commercial, Chambers USA
- Ranked 4 - Corporate/M&A, Chambers USA
- Ranked 3 - Litigation: General Commercial, Chambers USA
- Ranked 3 – Real Estate, Chambers USA
- Ranked 3 – Real Estate, Chambers USA
- Ranked 2 - Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, Chambers USA
- Ranked 2 - Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, Chambers USA
- Ranked 3 - Corporate/M&A, Chambers USA
- Ranked 3 - Litigation: General Commercial, Chambers USA
- Ranked 3 - Real Estate, Chambers USA
- Ranked 1 – Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Chambers USA
- Ranked 2 - Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, Chambers USA
- Ranked 2 – Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, Chambers USA
- Ranked 3 - Corporate/M&A, Chambers USA
- Ranked 2 – Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, Chambers USA
- Ranked 2 – Litigation: General Commercial, Chambers USA
- Ranked 3 – Corporate/M&A, Chambers USA
Office Locations
Phoenix,
AZ
2575 East Camelback Road, Suite 1100
Phoenix, AZ 85016
United States
602-530-8000
Call our Phoenix, AZ location at 602-530-8000
Get Directions
Get directions to our Phoenix, AZ location
Santa Fe,
NM
1239 Paseo de Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501
United States
505-982-9523
Call our Santa Fe, NM location at 505-982-9523
Get Directions
Get directions to our Santa Fe, NM location
Management and Personnel
Managing Partner
Dean C. Short, II