Neal H. Bookspan

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ASSISTANT: Cierra Grzenia
Neal H. Bookspan

Neal has extensive experience in real estate, advising clients on residential and commercial real estate disputes and in the acquisition and sale of all types of commercial property. He also advises clients on issues in bankruptcy, construction, and commercial litigation including the prosecution and defense of complex, multi-party disputes. 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 includes Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganizations, creditor’s rights representation and appeals.

He is a former law clerk to the Honorable Robert G. Mooreman, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, and his bankruptcy expertise is built on the foundation of Bankruptcy Court clerking. He has represented hundreds of individuals and companies with bankruptcy and litigation matters since he began practicing.

Neal graduated with honors from Drake University School of Law. He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Turnaround Management Association and is the chair of the Technology Committee of the Arizona State Bar Bankruptcy Section. Neal is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. He has been named a Southwest Superlawyer continuously since 2013 in business litigation, litigation, real estate, business and corporate, bankruptcy and construction litigation, including being named as a Top 50 Super Lawyer in Arizona in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Similarly, Neal has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America continuously since 2016.

He has a pragmatic approach to solving client’s legal issues and frequently looks for the practical solution as full scale litigation may not be in the client’s best interests. However, he is an accomplished trial litigator in state, federal and bankruptcy courts. Neal frequently publishes articles on anti-deficiency, bankruptcy and other business issues.

Professional Experience

  • Former law clerk to Chief Bankruptcy Judge Honorable Robert G. Mooreman
  • Extensive experience in commercial and bankruptcy litigation
  • Seasoned in construction litigation, including prosecution and defense of construction defect issues and mechanic’s liens, subcontractor contract review, change order issues, payment rights and remedies

Case Highlights

Saving a Business, and Jobs, by Workout with Creditors. A retail client faced harsh economic situations with both its vendors and landlords. Neal negotiated with his client’s creditors. He was able to help the company streamline its operations, work with the landlords and settle with creditors. The business was restructured and was able to avoid closing or filing bankruptcy.

Breaking a Deadlock. When the majority shareholder in a manufacturing company found the board of directors deadlocked with the company’s future at stake, Neal stepped in and forced the issue. That resulted in a receiver being appointed, thus saving all outstanding contracts, including a very large deal that was about to be cancelled by a customer.

Saving Investors’ Hard-Earned Cash. When a local businessman and his companies defrauded investors, Neal obtained a multi-million dollar judgment on the investors’ behalf. Then he found a creative way to work with the judgment debtors to come to a settlement.

Education
  • J.D. with honors, Drake University School of Law, 1992
  • B.S. Business Administration, University of Arizona, 1989
Bar Admissions
  • Arizona, 1992
  • U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1992
Awards & Recognition

Neal has been named a Southwest Super Lawyer continuously since 2013, including being named as a Top 50 Super Lawyer in Arizona in 2017 and 2019. Similarly, Neal has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America continuously since 2016.

  • Martindale-Hubbell, Rated AV Preeminent
  • Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Best Lawyers in America Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) - 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
  • Southwest Super Lawyer: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Southwest Super Lawyers Top 50 Arizona 2017, 2019
  • Phoenix Magazine - Top Lawyer, Banking & Financial, Civil Law Litigation, Commercial Litigation, 2022, 2023
  • AZ Business Leaders, 2021
  • Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona 2020 by AZ Big Media, 2020
  • Named Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, Arizona Business Magazine, 2018

Best Lawyers Award Badge

mh pt 23

mh av 23

neal sl

neal 10 sl

neal top50 sl

top lawyer 2023

Community Involvement
  • Phoenix Conservatory of Music, Board Member, 2018
  • Social Venture Partners Fast Pitch Mentor 2014, 2016, 2017
  • American Bankruptcy Institute, Member
  • Arizona State Bar Bankruptcy Section, Executive Council
  • Maricopa County Bar, Member
  • Turnaround Management Association, Member
Notable Press

Attorney at Law Magazine features Neal Bookspan Shareholder of the Month "A Pragmatic Practice"

District Court interpreting new Ninth Circuit case law related to what claims a borrower can and cannot assert against a lender who purchased the assets and assumed certain liabilities of a failed bank from the FDIC. Read the Motion for Leave opinion here.

District Court ruling that a party who did not comply with a State Court order to post additional bond to keep a preliminary injunction in place in reliance on a legal position is subject to the preliminary injunction being dissolved. Read the Injunction Opinion here.

Seminars & Presentations

Upcoming Seminars:

"Consumer Case Law" Presented by Neal Bookspan -On Demand

Recent Seminars:

Annual Arizona Lunch & Learn Seminar: "Data Security and Privacy" Security risks to both corporate networks and intellectual property being used by their employees mobile devices. Presented by Neal Bookspan and Laura Rogal with the Arizona Tech Council - Septemeber 2017

"Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)" Best Practices and Risk Reduction with mobile devices in the workplace. Presented by Neal Bookspan and Laura Rogal -March 2017

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