Attorney Profiles

Debora L. Verdier, a Shareholder and Director in the firm, is committed to efficiently and effectively representing large and small businesses in various commercial matters, including unfair competition, trade secret, contract disputes and other business torts. Ms. Verdier has significant experience in handling large and complex litigation matters in the areas of antitrust, copyright, and healthcare reimbursement. She has also litigated disputes associated with the dissolution of businesses or disputes among existing business partners, including claims of breach of contract, mismanagement, fraudulent misrepresentation, and breach of fiduciary and statutory duties. In addition to representing business clients in litigation,
Ms. Verdier counsels companies with an eye toward preventing disputes and providing pre-litigation solutions.

Ms. Verdier represents businesses in liability and insurance matters. She also represents insurance companies in matters involving reimbursement issues and insurance coverage disputes. Her work in this area includes preparing insurance coverage opinions, reservation of rights letters, and, if necessary, litigating coverage disputes and negotiating resolutions.

Ms. Verdier also practices in the area of entertainment law. Such work includes counseling bands, producers, musicians, songwriters, authors, artists, photographers, and other entertainers, on matters relating to copyright, licensing, branding, and publishing. She represents artists and entertainers in securing copyright registrations and reviewing and drafting various agreements including: license agreements, management contracts, royalty agreements, performance agreements ("gig contracts"), book contracts, screenplay option agreements, movie production agreements, and studio recording contracts. Should it become necessary, Ms. Verdier may also represent her entertainment law clients in litigation matters including copyright and trademark infringement, license and royalty disputes, and defamation.

In September 2004, Ms. Verdier was invited to speak to the Arizona School Board Association on copyright issues in education. Ms. Verdier blends her love for music and education by serving Rosie's House: A Music Academy for Children. Rosie's House is a non-profit music academy that provides music lessons, loaner instruments and performing opportunities to under-privileged children. From 2002 to 2007, Ms. Verdier was proud to serve on the Board of Directors of Rosie's House, serving as that organization's president from 2003 to 2005.

When she is not busy practicing law Ms. Verdier enjoys watching baseball, listening to music, snow skiing, Zumba, hiking, and playing with her dog, Banjo.

Significant Representations:

• Represented defendant insurance carrier in a case of first impression involving the pricing and payment of over $6 million of medical bills. (Judgment was entered for the defendant.)
• Represented defendant Arizona high school district in a copyright infringement suit brought by a foreign composer relating to one of the high school band's use of the composer's copyrighted composition. (This matter was resolved prior to trial.)
• Represented defendant hockey arena, professional hockey team and league in tort matter involving the injury to a spectator at a game. (This matter was resolved prior to trial.)
• Represented defendant, a private telecommunications company, in a dispute with a competitor that involved breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and unfair competition. (This matter was resolved prior to trial.)
• Represented plaintiff, a private telecommunications engineering firm, in breach of contract dispute with defendant, which was a subcontractor that provided site development and real estate services in the telecommunications marketplace. (This matter was resolved prior to trial.)
• Represented individual defendant in defense of claims for fraudulent transfer, breach of fiduciary duty, and misrepresentation associated with the sale of a closely-held business to former employees. (This matter was resolved prior to trial.)
• Represented defendant hospital and other individual defendants against claims that defendants attempted to monopolize cardiology services. (Defendants obtained summary judgment on all antitrust claims. The remaining state law claims were resolved prior to trial.)
• Represented defendant golf professional in a multi-million dollar Arizona Antitrust Act lawsuit filed by a seller of a discount golf card against several Arizona golf resorts and their resident professionals. (The defendants collectively obtained summary judgment, which judgment was affirmed by the Arizona Court of Appeals.)
• Represented plaintiff, a leading national telecommunications provider, in a dispute with a defaulting customer and certain fraudulent transferees. (Obtained default judgment against one of the defendants, which defendant appealed on the grounds that he had not been properly served with process. The Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment. The matter with respect to the remaining defendants was resolved prior to trial.)
• Represented a large beverage distributor in matter wherein the client was targeted for alleged infringement of the claimant's copyrights to computer software programs. (Matter was resolved prior to litigation being filed.)
• Represents one of the insurers in coverage litigation arising out of 16 class action suits seeking damages related to organic milk allegedly produced in violation of federal organic standards. (This matter was resolved prior to trial.)
• Represents defendant, an out-of-state internet-based client, which was sued for defamation and succeeded in having the matter dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction. (Defendants' Motion to Dismiss was granted and Judgment was entered for Defendants. The appeal to the Ninth Circuit is pending.)
• Represents the founder and former CEO of a multi-million dollar closely-held real estate holding company in an intercompany dispute involving claims against current company management for stock fraud, breach of contract, negligent and fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and violations of various corporate statutory duties.
• Represents one of Arizona's largest construction companies in various and ongoing insurance coverage matters.
• Represents an Arizona high school district in copyright compliance matters, including reviewing and revising copyright policies and guidelines, educating the faculty and staff on copyright compliance issues, and advising on general copyright and trademark matters.

Articles

Insureds Obligations to Insurer upon Entering into a Morris Agreement, AADC Newsletter