Michelle Ronan
Top rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in Phoenix, Arizona
Jaburg Wilk Law Firm
Practice areas: Estate Planning & Probate, Business & Corporate, General Litigation
Licensed in Arizona since: 2011
Education: The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2020 - 2025 Jaburg Wilk Law Firm
1850 N. Central AveSuite 1200
Phoenix, AZ 85004 Phone: 602-248-1000 Email: Michelle Ronan Visit website
Michelle primarily practices in the areas of estate planning and business law.
Through her estate planning practice, Michelle serves as a trusted advisor to individuals and families of all levels of sophistication seeking to create or revise their estate plan. Michelle focuses on developing custom approaches designed to meet the needs of each client, from a practical and efficient plan for moderate estates to sophisticated planning for more complex estates.
Michelle’s transaction work focuses on assisting closely held business owners with business formation, operating agreements, contract review, formation of 501(c)(3) non-profits, and buy/sell agreements.
Beyond estate planning and business law, Michelle has extensive experience in commercial litigation. Her broad expertise enables her to offer holistic legal guidance to clients facing diverse estate planning and business needs.
Michelle has been recognized repeatedly as a Southwest Super Lawyer Rising Star, Best Lawyers in America One to Watch, and Phoenix Magazine Top Attorney.
Michelle is a third-generation Arizonan. She attended both Arizona State University and University of Arizona (but is a loyal Wildcat).
First Admitted: 2011, Arizona
Professional Webpage: http://www.jaburgwilk.com/our-people/michelle-ronan
Bar / Professional Activity
- Arizona Association of Defense Counsel Member, 2012
- Maricopa County Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- Arizona State Bar Association, Member
- Defense Research Institute, Former Member
- Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, "Ladder Down" Graduate, 2013
Pro bono / Community Service
- Ryan House, Marketing and Development Committee Member, 2020
- Ryan House, Board of Directors, 2020
- Voices for CASA Children Volunteer – 2014 to date
- The Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest, Volunteer, 2010
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Volunteer, 2010-2012
Honors
- Insurance Coverage/Bad Faith, 2022, 2023, Top Lawyer, Phoenix Magazine
- Civil Law Transactional, Wills, Estates & Trusts, 2024, 2025, Top Lawyer, Phoenix Magazine
- Estate Planning, 2025, One of 50 Emerging Leaders in Arizona Law, AZ Big Media
- Peer Reviewed , Martindale-Hubbell
- 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, Ones To Watch, Best Lawyers in America
Educational Background
- B.S., Arizona State University, Justice Studies Cum Laude, 2007
White Papers
- After a moment of self-reflection, I realized that although I had faced a lot of challenges this past year, at times, I overlook the basic things for which I am grateful., Four Tips to Keep Gratitude Top of Mind, 2021
- Relationships are necessary and life enriching. They are not only vital for business but also promote overall good health. Yet, quality relationships are becoming an endangered species., Time to Make Time, 2020
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Sunscreen shields and protects you from harmful UV rays, just as an estate plan protects your loved ones and assets. Both are essential to ensure long-term well-being. But, just like using sunscreen, don’t wait until it’s too late., Author, Why an Estate Plan is as Essential as Sunscreen, JaburgWilk.com, 2025
- Arizona’s recent creation of a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) law has transformed opportunities for student-athletes. For the first time, state universities can directly compensate athletes for the use of their NIL and collaborate with approved partners to create new revenue streams. , Author, Arizona’s New Name, Image and Likeness Law – Why Young Athletes Need an Estate Plan, JaburgWilk.com, 2025
- Every August, National Make-A-Will Month serves as a reminder of something most people would like to avoid. Planning for the end of life. Creating a will isn’t about dwelling on death. , Author, August is National Make-A-Will Month, JaburgWilk.com, 2025
- How can we make sure the family cabin, ranch, or rental property stays in the family? Real property carries deep sentimental and financial value—but without a solid plan, it can just as easily become a source of conflict or be lost altogether., Author, Keeping the Family Cabin, in the Family, JaburgWilk.com, 2025
- When it comes to estate planning, ensuring your assets are well-protected should be a top priority. Insurance is a crucial component that many overlook, but it can be the key to securing your legacy., Author, Protect Your Assets: The Importance of Adequate Insurance in Estate Planning, JaburgWilk.com, 2025
- Blending families often introduce unique dynamics. In addition to the day-to-day challenges and opportunities that blended families create, there is also careful planning to consider when creating or updating an estate plan. , Author, Five Important Considerations When Creating Estate Plans for a Blended Family, JaburgWilk.com, 2025
- A component of creating a trust, is naming trustees for the trust. They are given powers which include managing the trust and its assets. Trust can have a single trustee or co-trustees named. , Author, Naming Co-Trustees of Your Trust – When Being “Fair” Creates More Problems Than It Solves, JaburgWilk.com, 2025
- Taking the step to schedule a meeting with an estate planning attorney can be difficult. Many people procrastinate taking this important first step which can create problems for loved ones who may be unexpectedly left behind. To help lessen some hesitation, the following five actions will help taking the first step less intimidating., Author, Five Steps to Take Before Meeting With an Estate Planning Attorney, JaburgWilk.com, 2024
- When the pandemic caused shelter in place orders and many employers shifted to remote work models, how that affected the courts, clients, and attorneys was, at first, chaotic. We fairly quickly adapted and adopted video conferencing as our replacement for in-person communications, including depositions., Virtual Depositions are as Easy as One, Two… Can You Hear Me, Now?, JaburgWilk.com, 2020
Office location for Michelle Ronan
1850 N. Central Ave
Suite 1200
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2026
- Rising Stars: 2020 - 2025