Marty Harper, managing shareholder of the Phoenix office of Polsinelli Shughart PC, welcomes Charles R. Berry and Michael F. Patterson to the firm’s Phoenix office as shareholders in the Business Department to practice corporate law. The addition of Berry and Patterson is part of a strategic move to deepen the firm’s corporate capabilities in Arizona. Berry and Patterson previously practiced at Titus, Brueckner & Berry, P.C., a boutique securities and business law firm in Scottsdale, before joining Polsinelli Shughart.
“This is a major development for Polsinelli Shughart in Phoenix,” said Harper. “Charlie is well known as one of the finest corporate lawyers in Arizona. Mike has a strong cross-border practice that can serve our international clients. Their outstanding depth of corporate services allows Polsinelli Shughart to claim a premier corporate practice in the Phoenix marketplace.”
Clients will find great value with the addition of Berry and Patterson. Known locally for its trial strength, Polsinelli Shughart can now provide sophisticated corporate capabilities. Berry assists clients with transactions focusing on capital formation, business management and real estate. He has extensive experience in securities regulation, public offerings, business mergers, acquisitions and sales, private placements and corporate compliance.
“Our move to Polsinelli Shughart affords us greater resources to serve our clients,” said Berry. “Not only do we have first-rate litigation, bankruptcy and real estate support in the Phoenix office, but we can also draw on substantial depth from business lawyers in the firm’s other offices.”
Berry is a cum laude graduate of Northwestern University School of Law and was a member of the editorial board of The Northwestern University Law Review. He also received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. He is the chair-elect of the Business Law Section of the Arizona Bar Association, and is a past chair of the Securities Regulation Section. He has served on the board of directors of public and private corporations and as an advisor or director of many other charitable and civic organizations.
Patterson brings substantial experience in business and securities transactions, and securities law issues, including securities regulation, public offerings, business mergers, acquisitions and sales, private placements, going-private transactions and corporate compliance. In addition, Patterson brings a wealth of experience and practice related to international business transactions and disputes. His clients include real estate developers, advertising and media companies, infrastructure development companies, a regulatory software business, a telecom company, start-up businesses, and cross-border real estate developers in Mexico.
“The geographic reach of Polsinelli Shughart is taking my business to the next level.” said Patterson. “It’s exciting and challenging to be part of a full-service law firm that can provide my clients with tax capabilities important to international deals. We are thrilled to be on the foundation of building a corporate practice in Phoenix.”
Patterson previously lived and worked in Mexico City and Costa Rica for 10 years, both in a non-lawyer capacity and as a U.S. lawyer primarily assisting U.S. companies in managing legal needs. He reads, writes and speaks Spanish fluently. Prior to entering the legal field, Patterson worked in the financial services industry, was licensed by the Arizona Department of Insurance and was a registered representative with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (now FINRA). He also had substantial customer service experience in the utilities industry.
A double graduate of Arizona State University, Patterson received his undergraduate degree summa cum laude and his law degree cum laude where he served on the editorial board of the Arizona State Law Review. Patterson completed the Mexican Legal Studies Program presented by the University of Houston Law Center in Mexico City. He is also a graduate of the Instituto de Lengua Española in Costa Rica. He is a member of the Governor’s Arizona-Mexico Commission, the current chairman of the State Bar Securities Regulation Section and an officer of the International Section. He is also on the board (past president) of the Scottsdale Bar Association.
For more information contact Heather McMichael, Public Relations Manager at 816-395-0618,
Cheryl Walsh, WalshComm Communications at 602-373-3149, cwalsh@walshcomm.com
About Polsinelli Shughart PC
With approximately 470 attorneys, Polsinelli Shughart PC (www.polsinelli.com) is a national law firm that is a recognized leader in the areas of business litigation, financial services, real estate, business law, construction, life sciences and health care. Serving corporate, institutional and individual clients regionally, nationally and worldwide, Polsinelli Shughart is known for successfully applying forward-thinking strategies for both straightforward and complex legal matters. The firm has 13 offices located in Phoenix, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Wilmington, Delaware; Chicago and Edwardsville, Illinois; Overland Park and Topeka, Kansas; Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield and St. Joseph, Missouri; New York City; and Washington, D.C.