On the heels of increasing the office by a third over the last year, Polsinelli Shughart PC continues its strategic growth with the promotion of Shareholder Edward F. Novak to Phoenix office managing partner. Novak, the former president of the State Bar of Arizona, takes over leadership from Marty Harper effective immediately. Harper led the Phoenix office of Polsinelli Shughart for the last four years and will resume practicing business litigation full time.
“Marty has done an amazing job, not only managing the office, but continuing to try tough cases and serve our clients,” said Novak. “He has been instrumental in building the firm and raising our client services and presence to a new level. He has my complete admiration and I look forward to carrying on his leadership.”
In the last year, the Phoenix office has added corporate and environmental capabilities to complement its trial practice, and increased to 55 attorneys. Because of that growth, the firm recently relocated to the CityScape high-rise in downtown Phoenix.
Highly respected in the legal and business communities, Novak is a current chair of the firm’s Government Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense practice. He joined Polsinelli Shughart in 2008 while he was the president of the State Bar of Arizona. He is currently a member of the Arizona Supreme Court’s Committee on Character and Fitness. Novak brings more than three decades of legal acumen to his role as office managing partner and will continue to move the firm forward as a law firm leader.
“Our clients are benefiting from the additions of new practice areas in the last year and that will continue,” said Novak. “Clients have asked for additional strengths in intellectual property, with an emphasis on life sciences, as well as wealth planning. The addition of skills and services in the Phoenix office complements the firm’s established national practices and benefits the entire firm.”
Novak is highly recognized in his field:
• Ranked in Chambers USA: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations Litigation, 2010
• Selected for inclusion in Southwest Super Lawyers for Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2009, 2010
• Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America®, Criminal Defense: White Collar, 1995-present
He earned his law degree from DePaul University in 1976 and his B.A. from Knox College in 1969.
“Polsinelli Shughart is a law firm redefining the business of law,” said Novak. “We are positioned to continue our growth and want to be the law firm that anticipates what our clients want and need. The legal field is always evolving and Polsinelli Shughart strives to be ahead of the curve for our clients.”
For more information contact Public Relations Manager Heather McMichael, 816-395-0618, or
Phoenix Marketing Manager Molly Edwards, 602-650-2338,
About Polsinelli Shughart PC
With more than 500 attorneys, Polsinelli Shughart PC (www.polsinelli.com) is a national law firm that is a recognized leader in the areas of business law, financial services, real estate and business litigation. Serving corporate, institutional and individual clients, Polsinelli Shughart is redefining the business of law by sharing ideas, goals and outcomes with its clients. The firm builds enduring relationships by creating value beyond legal services - with passion, ingenuity and a sense of urgency. The firm has offices located in Kansas City; St. Louis; Phoenix; Chicago; Denver; Washington, D.C.; New York; Wilmington, Del.; Overland Park, Kan.; St. Joseph, Springfield, and Jefferson City, Mo.; Topeka, Kan.; and Edwardsville, Ill.