C. Cole Crabtree

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ASSISTANT: Stephanie Zink
C. Cole Crabtree

Cole has been practicing law for almost twenty years. His practice area focuses on construction defect, products liability, professional liability, personal injury and general insurance defense litigation. He is an experienced trial attorney representing design professionals including architects and engineers in complex litigation matters and general contractors and subcontractors in complex, multi-party construction matters. Additionally he represents a well-known national corporation in product related litigation.

Cole tried two of the first class action construction defect cases in Arizona, each lasting approximately six weeks. He has also successfully defended a nationally known architect in a $50 million breach of contract matter and an international engineering firm in a $20 million defective design claim. Recently, Cole obtained summary judgments and awards of attorney fees for both a national subcontractor as well as a national product manufacturer. Additionally, Cole has represented clients including contractors and trucking companies against wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims.

Being an active member in the construction and legal community is important to Cole. He is a member of the Construction Financial Management Association, member of the Federal Bar Association and member of the State Bar of Arizona. He was a past member of Executive Board of the Maricopa County Bar Association’s Construction Law Section. Cole has actively worked with the construction industry in not only drafting Arizona legislation but also assisting the construction industry with the Arizona legislative process. He prides himself on educating his clients on Arizona legislation that impacts the Arizona construction industry.

Sharing his expertise with others is something Cole does well. He presents on a variety of legal matters locally and nationally to insurance and construction professionals. He has presented seminars such as “A Day with the Experts” and “Winning Your Complex Construction Mediation”. Cole has a proven track record of being cost conscious and thinking “outside the box” in construction litigation, which has resulted in success both in and out of the court room.

Education
  • Oklahoma City University College of Law (J.D., 2002)
  • University of Tulsa (B.A., Political Science, 1999)
Bar Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2002
  • Arizona, 2002
  • Colorado, 2016
  • New Mexico, 2020
Professional Experience
  • Successfully co-chaired two different six-week class action construction defect trials on behalf of roofing subcontractors, including one of the first class action construction defect cases in Arizona.
  • Successfully co-chaired a trial defending a stucco subcontractor in a 1,500-home, multi-party complex litigation.
  • Successfully defended an international engineering firm against a $20 million breach of contract claim related to design of a large mechanical stabilized earth wall.
  • Successfully defended an architect against breach of contract claims of more than $20 million relating to design of a $600 million public project.
  • Recently obtained summary judgment and dismissal, including an award of attorney fees, in an action against a national subcontractor based on a spoliation of evidence argument.
  • Appearing pro hac vice in Nevada, Cole obtained a summary judgment and dismissal, including an award of attorney fees, in an action against a national product manufacturer.
Awards & Recognition

Best Lawyers Award Badge

Community Involvement
  • State Bar of Arizona
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Construction Financial Management Association, Member
  • Maricopa County Bar Association: Past Board Member, Construction Law Section
  • American Subcontractors Association of Arizona, Member
Seminars & Presentations
  • Arizona’s New Construction Law, 2019
  • Cole is currently working with subcontractors in New Mexico to craft new legislation regarding their construction laws and claims directly affecting the industry
  • Arizona's New Construction Law, 2015 and 2016
  • Winning' Your Complex Construction Mediation, July 2012
  • A Day with the Experts, Maricopa County Bar Association, June 2010

Our Testimonials

What Our Client's Say

Awesome! Cole's the only attorney who's ever made that happen (obtaining an award for attorney fees and costs). Great work Cole!
Jaqui Anders
Claims Administrator, Moen, Inc.
All I can say is, "WOW!" Great resolution, Cole. Thank you!
Christine Kirklin
Vice President and General Counsel
Cole is a pleasure to work with on our cases and has consistently provided excellent results
Lisa Geisen
Corporate Claims Administrator, Gothic Landscaping

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