Member

Michael A. Cordier

Arizona counsel for construction disputes, real estate matters, business litigation, governance questions, and practical outside-general-counsel support.

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Practice Areas

Michael A. Cordier
Overview

A practice built around balancing legal strategy with business objectives.

Michael A. Cordier maintains a diverse transactional and litigation practice for clients in the real estate and construction industries as well as other businesses that need ongoing legal guidance. His work is rooted in understanding the day-to-day pressures facing owners, developers, contractors, and company leadership, then translating those pressures into advice that is practical, efficient, and commercially sound.

He represents clients in construction disputes through administrative proceedings, trial and appellate litigation, and alternative dispute resolution throughout Arizona. His broader commercial experience includes complex business and arbitration matters involving real estate, intellectual property, corporate disputes, partnership issues, and contract-based claims.

Michael also brings substantial transactional depth to his practice. He advises on entity formation and governance, negotiates and drafts contracts, supports real estate transactions and lease matters, and counsels business clients on employment-related issues, policies, restrictive covenants, and related risk-management concerns.

That combination allows him to advise clients across construction law, commercial litigation, real estate disputes, business formation and structuring, partnership conflicts, employment disputes, and intellectual property issues involving copyright, trademark, and trade secret concerns.

Representative Experience

Work spanning disputes, transactions, and business problem solving.

Representation of owners, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in complex litigation and arbitration matters involving defect allegations, contractor defaults, terminations, lien enforcement, and payment issues. Successful pursuit and defense of claims to recover damages arising out of construction defects and design and engineering errors or deficiencies in commercial, multifamily, and large construction projects.

Represents companies and individuals in the prosecution and defense of commercial and business disputes involving contract and tort claims, including breach of contract, fiduciary duty, fraud, negligence, conversion, employment matters, covenants not to compete, loan enforcement, guaranty disputes, foreclosures, commercial lease conflicts, and intellectual property issues involving copyright, trademark, and trade secrets in state and federal actions.

Preparation and negotiation of industry contracts for owners, developers, and general contractors. Advises clients on contract interpretation, insurance and surety coverage issues, and early resolution of day-to-day construction problems, while also representing sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants in commercial real estate transactions and lease negotiations.

Assists with formation, governance, risk assessment, contract preparation and review, and operational issues for business entities, including sale or acquisition of business interests or assets. Advises nonprofit entities on compliance and board duties and represents businesses and individuals in licensing and intellectual property matters involving copyright, trademark, and trade secrets.

Michael has represented employers before the City of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Division, the Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. EEOC, and in litigation in the Arizona Superior Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

Assists out-of-state counsel with administrative, trial, appellate, and alternative dispute resolution matters throughout Arizona, and provides local knowledge on county and state issues for lawyers and in-house teams doing business in the state.

Professional Presentations

Presentations and programs reflecting a broad business and intellectual property practice.

Presentation and roundtable discussion entitled “MASHup: New Video Art” featuring DJ Alex Votichenko, exhibiting video artist Natalie Bookchin, and copyright lawyer Michael Cordier. The discussion was moderated by SMoCA Assistant Curator Claire C. Carter.

Program co-chair and guest speaker for a seminar on email in the workplace, covering the positive and negative impact of business email use, including confidentiality, employer liability, and litigation implications.

Program chairman and guest speaker for a seminar entitled “Trade Secret Litigation,” focused on protection of trade secrets, confidentiality agreements, nondisclosure obligations, and employment agreements.

Guest speaker presenting on the National Arts Stabilization Project to officers, directors, and arts-organization management, including discussion of corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and internal governance topics.

Chairman and organizer of a continuing legal education seminar on discovery of computer-based evidence, covering discovery rules, electronically stored information, and use of computer experts in reconstruction of digital data.

Program chairman and guest speaker for a seminar entitled “Contract Basics for Artists,” addressing contract fundamentals, fiduciary relationships with gallery owners under Arizona law, and negotiation of agreements.

Contact

Need counsel on a construction, real estate, or business dispute?

Michael’s practice is built around helping clients evaluate risk early, protect leverage, and keep legal strategy aligned with business reality.

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