Seven G&K Attorneys Named 2024 AzBusiness Leaders

Timothy D. Brown, Shareholder
Tim leads Gallagher & Kennedy’s tax law practice and serves on the firm’s board of directors. He focuses his practice in all federal tax law areas, with an emphasis on partnerships, limited liability companies, C and S corporations, real estate, and civil tax controversy. A certified public accountant, Brown provides tax planning, structuring, and documentation for business and individual clients, including joint ventures and tax-exempt organizations.

Jennifer A. Cranston, Shareholder
Jennifer is a member of the firm’s board of directors. Her unique practice includes real estate, insurance coverage, and regulatory representation. For over 23 years, she has counseled land developers and private property owners in condemnation actions and valuation issues. In her insurance practice, Cranston advises insurers, business owners, and individuals on coverage and bad faith issues. In her regulatory practice, she advocates for public utilities in rate cases and before the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Mark Dangerfield, Shareholder
Mark provides intelligent and persistent advocacy for public and private organizations in complex litigation matters involving real estate, contract disputes, corporate governance, securities, statutory issues, and legal and accounting malpractice. In his appellate advocacy practice, Mark has corrected and reversed errant trial court rulings for clients ranging from public entities to professional sports teams. His thorough analysis of evidence in complex cases leads to key fact-based connections that lead to successful resolutions.

D. Lee Decker, Shareholder
Lee is one of the Southwest’s leading legal experts in water quality regulation, including permitting, standards, compliance, and enforcement. For over 32 years, Lee has worked with clients to develop workable strategies that promote the development and expansion of industrial and mining operations. His experience in federal, state, and local environmental matters includes water quality, water rights, compliance auditing, solid and hazardous waste, and mine reclamation and closure.

Donald Peder Johnsen, Shareholder
Don represents governmental entities, schools, nonprofit organizations, and other public and private employers in all aspects of employment and labor law, including discrimination and sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, wage and hour disputes, arbitrations, and labor practice charges. He also serves as outside corporate counsel to mitigate client risk regarding drug and alcohol testing, non-competes, labor relations, handbook policies and procedures, and employee hiring, discipline, and discharge procedures.

Kortney Otten, Of Counsel
Kortney leads the firm’s cannabis and hemp practice, advising plant-touching and ancillary cannabusiness owners/operators, start-ups, and those expanding to this market through the myriad of state and federal regulations particular to the industry. A long-time entrepreneur, Kortney has 20+ years of hands-on experience as an owner/operator of franchised restaurants, companies involved in manufacturing nutraceuticals, and real estate and investment interests. She also handles commercial bankruptcy and business law.

Dean C. Short, II, Managing Partner & Shareholder
Since joining G&K over 36 years ago, Dean has served as lead outside counsel for multiple professional sports franchises in all areas of general business, corporate, and tax law. His impressive experience includes the development of Arizona’s largest sports facilities, ancillary business issues, and drafting player contracts, radio and television contracts, and sponsorship agreements. In addition to his legal practice, Dean leads G&K’s board of directors as the firm’s managing partner.