Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to announce William (Bill) Clarke, Eric Gere, and Joel Newell have joined the firm’s Phoenix office. Gere (partner) and Newell (of counsel) are in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group, while Clarke joins as a Tax, Trusts, & Estates partner.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to continue this office’s measured growth and support our proven ability to supply clients with the resources needed to provide a full spectrum of legal counsel,” said David Funkhouser, Office Managing Partner for Spencer Fane in Phoenix. “All three of these attorneys have proven, established practices and share our commitment to collaborative, efficient, and effective client service.”
ABOUT THE ATTORNEYS
Bill Clarke (Tax, Trusts, & Estates) — Bill provides informed and experienced counsel to businesses, families, and individuals on structuring business transactions and personal finances, aligning strategies to achieve tax objectives and estate planning goals. This includes varying complexity in estate planning, probate administration, general business matters, and corporate and real estate transactions. He brings more than four decades of experience in private practice with a proven ability to utilize the full spectrum of options to create unique solutions that satisfy immediate needs while reducing taxes and protecting their wealth for generations to come. Bill completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas, where he was an All-American tennis player, before earning his Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona.
Eric Gere (Litigation and Dispute Resolution) — With a private practice focused on general, commercial, tax, and real estate litigation, Eric brings significant experience in successfully representing a variety of individuals and businesses in utility law, complex real estate transactions, landlord/tenant disputes, breach of contract lawsuits, construction law, and torts. He maintains an extremely diverse client base and executes on collaborative strategies necessary to deliver comprehensive legal service. Eric completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Washington and later earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law.
Joel Newell (Litigation and Dispute Resolution) — Joel’s private practice focuses on commercial, probate, and corporate restructuring litigation. He addresses the full range of litigation risks that a business might encounter, first proactively counseling clients on how to avoid unnecessary litigation and then thoughtfully and aggressively utilizing the full range of dispute resolution methods to defend them up to and through appeal when necessary. Joel has previously served as chair of both the State Bar of Arizona and Maricopa County Bar Association bankruptcy sections and has significant experience in the complex landscape of bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings. He completed his undergraduate studies at Anderson University and earned his Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
