Michael L. Ross

Michael R. Ross Of particular note, Mike served as lead counsel in a fraud trial arising out of a real estate development loan. Mikes client, Diversified Funding Group, was awarded a $23.9 Million verdict based on the borrowers fraud - a judgment that cannot ever be discharged in bankruptcy. In addition, Mike pursued claims for breach of fiduciary duty against a trustee that was mishandling a family trust. Based on Mikes efforts, the trustee was removed, the remaining trust funds were preserved, his clients share was returned, and Mikes fees were ordered to be paid by the bad actor. Mike successfully defended a business and its owner against multi-million-dollar claims involving the interplay between partnership and corporate law. He also won a defense verdict after a jury trial, then protected that verdict before the Arizona Court of Appeals and the Arizona Supreme Court. Moreover, Mike regularly represents limited liability company members, partners, and shareholders, in ownership disputes and business divorces. Over the course of his multi-decade career, Mike has earned an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been listed among The Best Lawyers in America, Southwest Super Lawyers, and ALM Media Legal Leaders Arizonas Top Rated Lawyers. Before joining Gallagher & Kennedy in 2005, Mike practiced law in Arizona and Texas. Immediately following law school, he clerked for Senior United States District Judge Justin L. Quackenbush. Fully committed to making a difference within his community, Mike sits on the Executive Council of the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and the Volunteer Lawyers Program board. He is a former board member of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix, actively represents pro bono clients, and coaches his sons sports teams in his spare time. REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE Representing closely-held corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and professional practices in business divorces and a broad array of member/shareholder/officer/director/partner disputes; Handling probate and trust litigation, including claims for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, elder abuse, undue influence and financial exploitation; Defending and prosecuting complex business litigation on behalf of individuals, sole proprietorships, closely-held businesses and Fortune 500 companies; Pursuing claims for insurance coverage, bad faith and breach of contract; Pursuing claims for and defending clients in litigation arising out of residential and commercial real estate contracts; and Representing licensees before various Arizona administrative agencies including, among others, the Medical Board, the Department of Real Estate, the Board of Accountancy, the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, the Department of Insurance, the Board of Podiatry Examiners, and the Board of Chiropractic Examiners. ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS Maricopa County Bar Association, Volunteer Lawyers Program, Advisory Board Gonzaga Alumni Association, Member Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore, July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014 HONORS & AWARDS Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating Best Lawyers in America , Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2019-2026; Litigation - Real Estate, 2023-2026; Litigation - Trusts and Estates, 2022-2026 Southwest Super Lawyers , Business Litigation, 2016-2019, 2022-2025 Arizona Business Leaders Magazine, AzBusiness Leaders - Business & Commercial Litigation, 2023 Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyer, Civil Law Litigation, 2022-2024 ALM Media Legal Leaders, Arizonas Top Rated Lawyers, 2018 COMMUNITY & PHILANTHROPY Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, Executive Council Member Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix, Board of Directors Madison Traditional Academy Dads Club, Member News 22 G&K Attorneys Recognized as 2026 Southwest Super Lawyers and Rising Stars - April 17, 2026 Best Lawyers in America 2026 Recognizes 58 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys, Two Named Lawyer of the Year - August 21, 2025 23 G&K Attorneys Recognized as 2025 Southwest Super Lawyers and Rising Stars - April 17, 2025 Phoenix Magazine Names 11 G&K Attorneys to 2024 Top Lawyers - September 3, 2024 Best Lawyers in America 2025 Recognizes 51 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 15, 2024 19 G&K Attorneys Selected to 2024 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars - April 8, 2024 Phoenix Magazine Names 9 G&K Attorneys to 2023 Top Lawyers - September 1, 2023 Best Lawyers in America 2024 Recognizes 52 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 21, 2023 18 G&K Attorneys Selected to 2023 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars - April 6, 2023 Five G&K Attorneys Named 2023 AzBusiness Leaders - January 1, 2023 Law of Attraction: The Legal Industry Is Facing Its Stiffest Competition Yet When It Comes to The War for Talent - November 16, 2022 Phoenix Magazine Names 7 G&K Attorneys to Inaugural Top Lawyers Issue - September 1, 2022 Best Lawyers in America 2023 Recognizes 41 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 18, 2022 13 G&K Attorneys Selected to 2022 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars - April 7, 2022 Best Lawyers in America 2022 Recognizes 37 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 19, 2021 Gallagher & Kennedy Announces 14 Attorneys Selected to 2021 Southwest Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists - April 8, 2021 Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 36 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 21, 2020 Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 33 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys as Leaders in Their Field - August 15, 2019 Sixteen Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys Selected for Southwest Super Lawyers 2019 - April 15, 2019 Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 35 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys as Leaders in Their Field - August 15, 2018 Twenty-Two Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys Selected for Southwest Super Lawyers 2018 - April 24, 2018 24 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys Named 2017 Southwest Super Lawyers - April 10, 2017 Twenty-Six G&K Attorneys Selected to 2016 Southwest Super Lawyers List - April 11, 2016 Michael R. Ross Joins Board of Directors for Ronald McDonald House Charities - September 5, 2013 Read More Publications Department of Labor Releases Proposed Rules Revising Overtime Exemptions - July 29, 2015 Arizonas Minimum Wage Goes Up to $6.90 - December 31, 2007 Curt Denny Best Law Firms Client Comment Mike [Ross] and Hannah [Porter] are amazing. They are very knowledgeable and their experience really shows.