Coppersmith Brockelman: A Commercial Litigation and Chambers-Ranked Employment Boutique, Started in a Spare Bedroom

Coppersmith Brockelman PLC is a Phoenix-based commercial litigation and Chambers-ranked employment boutique founded in 1995 by Sam Coppersmith, a former U.S. Congressman, and Andy Gordon, his former Chief of Staff. The firm began in a spare bedroom and has grown into a close-knit partnership of approximately 20–22 attorneys, maintaining its original culture while earning national recognition.

About the Firm

The firm focuses on commercial litigation, health care law, employer-side employment law, election and political law, real estate, and antitrust. It is Chambers USA-ranked in both commercial litigation and labor & employment, with over half its attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers in America, several as “Lawyer of the Year” in Phoenix.

The commercial litigation practice represents plaintiffs and defendants, including major banks, corporations, and emerging businesses, in single-plaintiff suits as well as class and collective actions. The firm’s employer-side employment practice is independently ranked by Chambers USA, specializing in regional and national representation for Arizona-headquartered clients, particularly in healthcare.

Recognition

• Chambers USA-ranked in General Commercial Litigation and Labor & Employment in Arizona.
• More than half the firm’s attorneys recognized in Best Lawyers in America, with several named “Lawyer of the Year” in Phoenix.
• Attorneys frequently appear in Arizona Capitol Times’ Rising Stars list and AZ Big Media’s Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona.

Community and Culture

The firm emphasizes “building community — with clients, with other lawyers, and with each other” as a core principle. Its culture reflects the founders’ original vision of a collaborative, high-caliber boutique serving institutional and corporate clients.

Legal Context

Arizona commercial disputes are governed by the Uniform Commercial Code (A.R.S. Title 47), the Arizona Business Corporation Act (A.R.S. Title 10), and the Arizona Limited Liability Company Act (A.R.S. 29-3101 et seq.). Maricopa County Superior Court operates a specialized Commercial Court for complex business disputes. Employment law in Arizona follows at-will employment principles under the Arizona Employment Protection Act (A.R.S. 23-1501), subject to federal and state anti-discrimination and wage-and-hour exceptions.