Our Attorneys
Ben J. Himmelstein | Attorney
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Practice Areas
- Business Dissolutions
- Misappropriations of Trade Secrets
- Business Torts
- Sales Contracts
- Buy & Sell Agreements
- Non-compete & Non-solicit Agreements
- Business Formations
- Business Litigations
Admitted to Practice
- State Bar of Arizona (2004)
Education
- J.D., Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law, 2004
- Certificate in Law, Science and Technology, 2004
- B.A. Psychology, Arizona State University, 2000
Memberships & Associations
- State Bar of Arizona
Biography
Ben Himmelstein is an award winning, highly experienced business lawyer concentrating generally in business litigation, commercial transactions, and dispute resolution. His practice focuses on medical, dental, technology, and startup businesses. Mr. Himmelstein’s practice areas include business dissolutions, membership disputes, breaches of fiduciary duties, misappropriation of trade secrets, business torts, sales contracts, buy and sell agreements, non-compete and non-solicit agreements, business formation, contract disputes, and intentional torts.
Mr. Himmelstein represents a variety of businesses in different stages throughout Arizona and is passionate about the growth of Arizona’s business community. He wears many hats in the legal industry, often serving as a private mediator, as well as an arbitrator through for the American Arbitration Association. Additionally, Mr. Himmelstein teaches several courses at Arizona State University College of Law for the Master of Legal Studies program. Previously, Himmelstein served as a Judge Pro Tempore for Maricopa County Superior Court and a Fee Arbitrator for the State Bar of Arizona.
For the last two decades, Mr. Himmelstein has successfully helped his clients navigate a wide range of disputes involving business issues which has resulted in numerous awards during his career, including being listed as a Super Lawyer, receiving the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell, and being named one of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Recently, Mr. Himmelstein was recognized as one of Arizona’s Business Leaders and AZ Big Media listed him as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona.
His previous experience includes working as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for a boutique law firm in Phoenix. He is a founding member of the Arizona Jewish Lawyers Association and served on the Board of the New Foundation. Mr. Himmelstein is currently active with a number of non-profit organizations.
When Mr. Himmelstein is not practicing law, he devotes himself to his family and other business interests.
Todd M. Adkins | Attorney
Practice Areas
- Real Estate Acquisition & Development
- Commercial Leasing
- Real Estate Lending & Finance
- Business Transactions & Secured Financing
- Collections, Creditor’s Rights & Loan Deficiencies
- Trustee’s Sales & Foreclosures
Admitted to Practice
- State Bar of Arizona (2007)
- U.S. District Court, Arizona (2007)
Education
- B.A., University of Arizona (2002)
- J.D., University of Arizona (2007)
Biography
Todd is a commercial real estate attorney, certified as a Real Estate Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona, with broad experience in complex business transactions, including acquisitions, developments, leasing, and secured financing. Todd represents established and emerging companies throughout Arizona and the Southwest in all facets of commercial real estate involving major office buildings, shopping centers, multi-family projects, master planned communities, resort/golf properties, industrial properties, and single-family residential developments.
Todd is a founding partner of the firm. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arizona (magna cum laude) in 2002. He graduated from University of Arizona College of Law in 2007. During law school, Todd served on the Editorial Board of the Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law as the Research and Development Editor. Prior to entering law school, Todd worked as a lobbyist for the Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts.
David E. Shein | Of Counsel
Practice Areas
- Business Consulting & Risk Management
- Outside General Counsel
- Real Estate Acquisition & Development
- Real Estate Lending & Finance
- Business Acquisition & Combination
- Complex Commercial Transactions & Dispute Resolution
Admitted to Practice
- State Bar of Arizona (1987)
- U.S. District Court, Arizona (1987)
- U.S. Circuit Court, 9th Circuit (2010)
- State Bar of Hawaii (2011)
Biography
David takes great pride in the success of his clients and brings more than 30 years of substantive legal and business experience to every assignment. David specializes in handling complex, high-stakes, commercial transactions, and dispute resolution. David’s ‘concierge’ style practice focuses on the representation of established and emerging companies and financial institutions in all facets of real estate acquisition, development, and financing, including venture formation, strategic business planning, capital acquisition, complex contract negotiation and mergers and acquisitions.
Education
David earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (with distinction) from the University of Arizona in 1984, with a double major in accounting and corporate finance. David graduated from Arizona State University College of Law (cum laude) in 1987, with an emphasis in commercial law and business tax.
Honors and Awards
Since 2001, David has been certified as a Real Estate Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona. David also holds the highest rating (AV) from the Martindale- Hubbell attorney rating service and has been consistently named as a top real estate lawyer by Best Lawyers®, and Southwest Super Lawyers®. David has also served as a Judge Pro Tem of the Maricopa County Superior Court, a Member of the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, and a Member of the Executive Committee of the Real Estate Section in the State Bar of Arizona.
Erik D. Smith | Attorney
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Practice Areas
- Business Law
- Commercial Law
- Commercial Leasing
- Commercial Litigation
- Real Estate
Admitted to Practice
- State Bar of Arizona (2016)
- U.S. District Court, Arizona (2016)
Education
- B.A., magna cum laude, Arizona State University (2011)
- J.D., University of Arizona (2016)
- Transactional Business Law Certificate
- Senior Note Editor: Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy
- Award for Outstanding Performance in Legal Writing
- Best Note (2015), Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy
Publications & Speaking
- The Whole Home Approach: Spurring Home Energy Efficiency Through A Renewable and Transferrable Property Tax Incentive, 6 Ariz. J. Envtl. L. & Pol’y 398, 398 (2015)
Memberships & Associations
- State Bar of Arizona
Biography
Erik is an Arizona native whose practice primarily focuses on real estate, commercial law, and commercial litigation. In the areas of commercial law and commercial litigation, Erik advises clients on contract and leasing disputes. In addition, Erik assists in state and federal trials involving commercial landlord tenant disputes, breach of contract, and breach of agency duties. Erik’s transactional work focuses on the review of contracts, commercial leases, and drafting of various commercial documents.
Prior to attending the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers college of Law, Erik attended Arizona State University where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English. While attending law school, Erik focused on business law and writing. He received a transactional business law certificate and provided legal assistance to startup ventures participating in the University of Arizona’s McGuire Entrepreneurship Program. Erik was also the Senior Note Editor for The Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy and won multiple school awards for his writing.
Sonia M. Phanse | Of Counsel
Practice Areas
- Estate Planning
- Secured & Unsecured Lending
- Business Transactions
Admitted to Practice
- State Bar of California (2005)
- U.S. Tax Court, 2005
- State Bar of Arizona (2006)
- U.S. District Court, Arizona (2006)
- U.S. Circuit Court, 9th Circuit (2005)
- State Bar of Hawaii (2011)
Education
- B.A., University of Southern California (2000)
- J.D., Golden Gate University (2004)
- LL.M., Federal Taxation (2005)
Memberships & Associations
- State Bar of California
- State Bar of Arizona
- State Bar of Hawaii
Biography
Sonia is a Pittsburgh native. Sonia’s practice focuses on estate planning, as well as commercial secured and unsecured lending.
Sonia’s estate planning practice includes the preparation of revocable and irrevocable wills and trusts, durable powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney, and living wills.
Sonia has extensive experience organizing and structuring joint venture relationships around real estate and real estate financing transactions, including transactions involving limited liability companies, corporations and partnerships, and the preparation of operating agreements, partnership agreements, shareholder agreements for large and small businesses.
Jordan C. Wolff | Attorney
Biography
Jordan C. Wolff is a distinguished attorney based in Arizona. He focuses on business law and general litigation. A graduate of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, Mr. Wolff earned his degree with the highest distinction, reflecting his deep commitment to legal excellence.
Mr. Wolff’s practice is robust and multifaceted, encompassing a broad range of business legal services. He adroitly handles business disputes, providing aggressive and strategic litigation support to a favorable outcome for his clients. Additionally, he assists business entities in their formation and operational structuring, crafting meticulous operating agreements, management agreements, and bylaws tailored to each client's unique needs.
Throughout his career, Mr. Wolff has successfully brought and defended cases across a diverse spectrum of legal issues, including breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, defamation, misappropriation of trade secrets, employment-related claims, civil rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and the Stored Communications Act. His extensive experience and sharp legal acumen make him a powerful advocate in and out of the courtroom.
Licensed to practice across all state and federal courts in Arizona, as well as the prestigious 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, Mr. Wolff brings a comprehensive, insightful approach to each case. His thorough understanding of both the minutiae and broader implications of business law makes him a trusted advisor and formidable advocate.
Mr. Wolff is committed to delivering exceptional legal guidance, protecting the interests of businesses, and ensuring their operations adhere to the highest standards of legal compliance and efficiency.
Jeffrey R. Perry | Of Counsel
Practice Areas
- Business Entities
- General Business Transactions
- Capital Raising Transactions
- Securities Issuance
- Securities Law
- Business Combination Transactions
- Employers and Employment
- Estate Planning
- Probate/Estate Administration
Admitted to Practice
- State Bar of Arizona - 2000
- State Bar of Texas - 1988
Education
- Southern Methodist University – Juris Doctor 1984
- Southern Methodist University – BBA Finance 1981 & BA Political Science 1981
Memberships & Associations
- State Bar of Arizona – Business law Section, Securities Regulation Section, Sole/Practitioner/Small Firm Section
Biography
With 36 years of experience as both a businessman and lawyer, I’ve become quite adept at blending business and legal perspectives – offering practical legal solutions and comprehensive advice to my clients. My private practice has grown largely through referrals, and I’ve found clients deeply appreciate my trusting demeanor and dedicated work ethic.
My rich legal experience includes successful representation of clientele in business entities, business combinations, private placement securities offerings, employment matters, technology licensing, contract matters and estate planning. I served as general counsel for two public companies based in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition, I’ve represented numerous other Arizona based companies in real estate, financial services, skincare, biotechnology, and technology marketplaces. I’m admitted to practice law in both Arizona and Texas.
Today, that experience provides the foundation for the firm’s dynamic market presence and winning culture.
Our team of committed legal professional possess the training, skill, and institutional knowledge required to excel in the consistently shifting legal landscape.
Our Philosophy
Our clients expect good results. To that end, we employ innovative, pragmatic strategies – and hard work – to meet our clients needs. Our firm culture is characterized by teamwork, mutual respect and an unabashed commitment to excellence. It is our mission to provide and guide our clients to the best possible outcomes available given their unique circumstances and situations.
As your trusted advisors our dedicated team utilizes strategic persuasion to secure positive outcomes for our clients. We welcome that responsibility and demonstrate, on a daily basis, that absolute commitment to success and remaining a consummate professional are not mutually exclusive concepts. As dedicated members of the communities in which we live and work, we contribute both our time and our resources to help improve our profession and give back to our community.
Recognized
For Excellence
Himmelstein & Adkins, LLC’s attorneys are licensed in Arizona, Texas, California, and Hawaii and provide legal services throughout the Southwestern United States.