Practice Areas: Real Estate, Bankruptcy, Business Litigation view more
Licensed in Arizona since: 1992
Education: Drake University Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2023 Jaburg | Wilk
3200 North Central Ave.Suite 2000
Phoenix, AZ 85012 Phone: 602-248-1009 Email: Neal H. Bookspan Visit website
Details
Neal has extensive experience in real estate transactions and litigation, commercial litigation, construction litigation, and debtor-creditor issues involving all aspects of the prosecution and defense of complex, multi-party disputes. Neal helps clients buy and sell commercial real estate including multifamily properties. He works with many partners and shareholders resolving disputes in closely held businesses and has represented many Arizona companies, assisting them as they have grown. For construction clients, Neal handles both prosecution and defense of mechanic's liens issues, as well as assisting contractors with contract review and project issues such as change order issues and payment rights and remedies. Neal's bankruptcy experience involves secured creditors representation and appeals.
Neal has a pragmatic approach to solving client’s legal issues and frequently looks for the practical solution in all situations. Neal knows full scale litigation may not be in the client’s best interests. However, he is an accomplished trial litigator in both state, federal and bankruptcy courts. Neal frequently publishes articles on business issues.
Practice areas
Real Estate: Business, Bankruptcy: Business, Business Litigation, Business/Corporate, Construction Litigation: BusinessFirst Admitted: 1992, Arizona
Professional Webpage: http://www.jaburgwilk.com/our-people/neal-h-bookspan
Honors/Awards:
- Phoenix Magazine - Top Lawyer, 2022, Top Lawyer, Phoenix Magazine
- AZ Business Leaders, 2021, AZ Business Leaders
- Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Client Champion Platinum, Martindale-Hubbell
- Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona 2020 by AZ Big Media, 2020, Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona 2020, AZ Big Media
- Best Lawyers in America- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) - 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Best Lawyers in America- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Best Lawyers in America
- Named Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, by Arizona Business Magazine, 2018, Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona 2018, Arizona Business Magazine
- Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Musically Fed, Board Member, 2019-current; Secretary, 2019-current
- Arizona State Bar Bankruptcy Section, Executive Council
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Member
- Maricopa County Bar, Member
- Turnaround Management Association, Member
- Phoenix Conservatory of Music, Board Member, 2018-current; Board Chair 2020-current
- Member of Executive Committee of the Bankruptcy Section of the State Bar of Arizona, 2005
Verdicts/Settlements:
- Musically Fed, Board Member, 2019-current; Secretary, 2019-current
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Social Venture Partners Fast Pitch - Mentor 2014, 2016, 2017
- Board Member (2013 Chair) of non-profit Ear Candy Charity (http://www.earcandycharity.org/), 2010
Educational Background:
- University of Arizona , 1989
Videos:
- Do I Need an Attorney if I am Buying or Selling a Business?, 2014
- How can someone prepare for the first meeting with an attorney?, 2015
- What do creditors need to know about litigation in state court and bankruptcy court?, 2014
- How can business owners manage legal risks?, 2013
- What is alternative dispute resolution?, 2014
- Can business partner disputes be defused? Can a client avoid expensive litigation?, 2014
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Whether a customer list is, in fact, a trade secret depends on a two-step analysis to be applied on a case-by-case basis. The first step relates to efforts to keep the list secret. If so, the second step is a four-factor analysis detailed below., Author, Not All Customer Lists are Trade Secrets!, JaburgWilk.com, 2022
- Contractual Attorney Fee Awards May be Contested, www.jaburgwilk.com/news-publications/contractual-attorney-fee-awards-may-be-contested, JaburgWilk.com
- Arizona Court of Appeals Decision Adds Confusion to the Interpretation of the Anti-Deficiency Statutes, www.jaburgwilk.com/news-publications/arizona-court-of-appeals-decision-adds-confusion-to-the-interpretation-of-the-anti-deficiency-statutes, JaburgWilk.com
- I Don't Think We are Going to Remain Friends - What Happens When Owners of Closely Held Companies are Deadlocked or in Dispute with Each Other or Former Employees, www.jaburgwilk.com/news-publications/i-don-t-think-we-are-going-to-remain-friends-what-happens-when-owners-of-closely-held-companies-are-deadlocked-or-in-dispute-with-each-other-or-former-employees, JaburgWilk.com
- Are There Fiduciary Duties Between Members in an Arizona LLC?, www.jaburgwilk.com/news-publications/are-there-fiduciary-duties-between-members-in-an-arizona-llc, JaburgWilk.com
- Update: Are There Fiduciary Duties between Members in an Arizona LLC?, www.jaburgwilk.com/news-publications/are-fiduciary-duties-between-members-in-an-arizona-llc, JaburgWilk.com
White Papers:
- Presence refers to the state of being aware and engaged in the present moment. It is the opposite of being distracted. Being present can be difficult, especially in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world where we are constantly bombarded with distractions., Presence Is a Skill We All Need to Practice, 2023
- I heard someone say this on a podcast and it stuck with me. It is a way to reframe the narrative of change as we enter the new year or at any time. The point is to spend more time looking forward than obsessing on the past., Don’t Rewrite Your Story, Make Something Good Going Forward, 2022
- Quarterback Stetson Bennett was interviewed and in response to how he led his team back he said, “Just keep fighting. Keep your mouth shut. Work hard. Life is tough, you just have to fight through it.” That’s right, wisdom from the mouth of a 23-year-old college quarterback that applies to all of us., Just Keep Fighting. Keep Your Mouth Shut. Work Hard, 2022
- This sounds so easy, but can be much harder in practice. You know you have said things, likely out loud, when driving and some car cut you off. Maybe you would say it to the person when you end up next to each other at a traffic light or not. , Don’t Be a Jerk – Always Take the High Road, 2022
- I saw this somewhere in the last few weeks and it rang true to me. The choices we make define us, always. Some may be smaller and some larger, but together they show who you are. Sometimes the choices that seem smaller show more than you think as they are choices you make on a daily basis., We Are Our Choices. Every. Single. Day., 2022
- Discipline helps you get done what you plan and need to do each day. This is part of doing what you say you’re going to do. This provides stability because it allows others to know how you act or respond in various situations., Discipline Creates Stability, 2022
- I’m not asking about what is your return on investment. I’m asking about what is your ripple of impact. How does who you are and what you do impact others and your community? If you don’t think this matters you are being shortsighted and missing the mark., What is Your ROI?, 2022
- I recently came across a good quote which I hadn’t read in quite a long time. It spoke to something I agree with, which is the importance of being a lifetime learner., What Have You Learned Today?, 2022
- We all have a pitch to make and the need to do so comes up all of the time. Many times, you are making a pitch unconsciously because it can be second nature for some. Think about how good your pitch could be if you actually thought about what you want to say in a given situation., Do You Have a Good Pitch?, 2022
- Networking is about knowing more people. Connecting is about knowing people more. The distinction is obvious. You know a lot of people professionally and personally, but you actually are connected to only a fraction of those you know., The Differences Between Networking and Connecting, 2022
- We all take inspiration from different people, actions, inactions and observations. Sometimes it comes out of nowhere and sometimes it comes from surprising places. When it does, you need to be ready to notice and process what it means to you., What Inspires You?, 2022
- When you are striving to reach a goal, do you get there by the intensity you bring to it or by the consistency in following the steps you have sketched out? I think it’s a combination of the two. You can employ both to pursue your goals and dreams., Intensity v. Consistency, 2022
- Expectations are important whether it’s your expectations of yourself or setting expectations for others. In both instances, it’s good to be realistic. If your expectations aren’t, it is a negative either because you set the expectation too low, as if you didn’t have faith in yourself in a given situation, or you set the expectation too high and don’t come close to touching it., Expectations, 2022
- Are you the workaholic each of us knows? You know the one. Checking email from the moment they wake up, when they are at lunch with you (rude, by the way), and checking it right before they go to sleep. Every social opportunity is really a networking opportunity with people they probably would not socialize with., Do You Have Work/Life Balance?, 2022
- In everything you do you can do better; you can be better. Always. If you disagree you are only fooling yourself and being intellectually dishonest. Investing in yourself is the best investment you can make., We Can Always Do Better by Working on Ourselves, 2022
- Just because the thought comes into your head does not mean it should come out of your mouth. In many situations, it matters what you say next. This is why it’s so important to think before speaking., Do You Think Before Speaking?, 2022
- I know some of you are thinking “What is he talking about? Fun at work?” But it’s that simple and that’s exactly what I mean. , Do you have fun at work?, 2022
- Being respectful isn’t just good manners. It’s a way to connect with others and try to understand their position or opinion., Demonstrate Respect, 2022
- This topic covers a lot of ground in my mind. Depending on what you’re reading, you may be escaping your day or learning something new. , Read, Learn, and Invest in Yourself, 2022
- A lot of people sugarcoat what they say to save others’ feelings. This is good in theory, but detrimental to your business. If you cannot have honest, hard conversations with your peers and employees, what does that say about your business? Who are you training them to be (or not)?, Direct and Honest Communication Matters, 2022
- We all know the cliché “overnight success.” In the real world anyone who is an overnight success has put in the time to be a success. And most people don’t even realize it. , Overnight Success is a Myth, 2022
- Networking is the base on which your business development efforts sit. Who you know matters. The broader your network and reach the better chance it will lift you up towards success., Networking and Deepening Your Connections Matters, 2022
- Go to new places and put yourself in new situations with new people. Do not just stay at places or with the people with whom you are comfortable., The World Begins at the End of Your Street, 2022
- Are you content with where you are in your career and, if so, why? Maybe you just want to do the same old and punch the clock. Sounds boring to me, but it could be your thing. , Keep Asking For More, 2022
- Is this you? To honestly answer this question requires self-awareness, which many people lack. We all know that person, the one you meet in a business or personal setting who cannot stop themselves from dominating a conversation or room., Do You Talk Too Much?, 2022
- A favorite saying of mine is “If we all were the same, the world would be a boring place.” I believe this to be true. , We All Bring Different Things to the Table, 2022
- As in all worlds, disorganization leads to disaster. It not only can make you late on your commitments, it can adversely affect your business and personal life. , Being Organized Matters, 2022
- Don’t be too busy or self-important to miss an opportunity., Are You Ready When Opportunity Is in Front of You?, 2022
- Ask questions that allows other people to speak because the more someone speaks during a conversation, the better they think the conversation went. This is because people like talking generally, and talking about themselves specifically., Talk Less and Listen More, 2022
- Whether you are an owner, manager, employee, parent, child, or another role, the only thing you can control is yourself, which means your decisions and your actions. When you try to control more than that and if you are aware, you realize your overall lack of control. , Your Perceived Control Is Illusory, 2022
- Many of us sit in place all day and work hard. This is bad for you both mentally and physically. You know this is not good for you, but are you willing to try new steps to help yourself and lower your stress level?, Get Moving For Your Body and Your Brain, 2022
- Preparation is everything. It makes things look easy and natural. In my world it is being prepared for a trial, closing of a transaction, oral argument, or the first meeting with a new client., Always Be Prepared, 2022
- This does not involve the doctor, but it does involve all the other professionals in your personal and business life. Based on the positive feedback I’ve received, this now an annual tradition., The 2022 Version of Why it is Time for an Annual Checkup for You and, If You Have One, Your Company, 2022
- Ending the year well can mean different things to different people. For some, it might mean achieving a personal goal or completing a major project. For others, it might mean spending time with loved ones or taking some time to rest and recharge., End the Year Well, 2022
- I am speaking about controlling your schedule in an affirmative manner and not just being reactive all day long. There are many ways to do this, some of which I have written about before, which means the first step is to figure out what works best for you to manage your calendar and time each day., Make the Day; Don’t Let the Day Make You, 2023
- When you go through an interview or meet someone, is there something about you or you have done that people will remember? I recently read something that suggested younger adults do at least three fascinating things in their 20s that job interviewers or dinner companions will want to ask about for the rest of their lives. , Build Identity Capital, 2023
- Deliberate planning is important for several reasons and is important to think about at this time of year. It helps you to set goals and create a roadmap for achieving them. It also helps to anticipate potential challenges and come up with strategies for dealing with them. Deliberate planning can also help use your resources more efficiently, both in terms of time and money., Deliberate Planning Matters, 2023
Industry Groups:
- American Bankruptcy Institute; Turnaround Management Association
Office location for Neal H. Bookspan
3200 North Central Ave.
Suite 2000
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Selections
11 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2023