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J. Ernest Baird |
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Daryl Williams |
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Robert Greer |
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James Reed |
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Michael Blair |
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Craig LaChance |
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Carlos Gutierrez |
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Carson Emmons |
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Kim Spence |
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Jeff Elder |
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Stefanie Garigal |
602-256-9400 |
800-251-8243
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EDUCATION • J.D., University of Arizona, 2001 BAR ADMISSIONS • Arizona PRACTICE AREAS • Commercial Litigation Published Decisions Legal Publications and Presentations Blog Posts Some Stuff that I Used to Own: A Primer on Abandoned and Lost Personal Property |
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Craig M. LaChance | Partner |
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Why I Should be Your Attorney US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer once described his job as an appellate attorney to his son: “If you do your homework really well, you can get a job where you do homework for the rest of your life. . . . Basically I read, and I write.” While dubious as homework motivation (it is a rare kid who is inspired to do homework by the prospect of a lifetime of more homework), this is an apt description of appellate work. As partner of Baird Williams and Greer’s DC/Northern Virginia office and head of its appellate department, I do my “homework really well.” I relish the demanding parts of a legal practice: research, analysis, writing. My strength is delving into the facts and legal issues of each case. This commitment to rigor—indeed, a desire to do the heavy intellectual lifing— makes me a forceful advocate. When I file something in court it is well-researched, well-reasoned, creative, and compelling. But a good attorney also needs a firm grounding in the practical world. Complimenting my specialized knowledge in appeals and commercial law is an understanding of business reality. I view advocacy as more than merely appearing in court. An attorney also needs to play the oft-neglected role of counselor. In representing clients, I strive to maintain an open dialogue about the costs and benefits of litigation. Above all else, my goal is achieving a successful outcome, be it litigation or conceiving of and structuring an innovative settlement. My Practice Appeals Appellate courts are clogged with cases, and judges have no time to parse through dense, complicated briefs. Therefore, an appellate advocate must (1) get to the point, and (2) demonstrate why you win. I am particularly adept at framing the crucial issues on appeal and writing succinct briefs with logical arguments. An appeal is your last chance to make your case. If you have lost a trial, or even if you won and your opponent has now appealed, I know how to make your final and best arguments. I have over ten years of appellate practice, beginning immediately after law school as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Susan Ehrlich on the Arizona Court of Appeals. Since then I have appeared in various state and federal appellate courts, including the US Supreme Court. Highlights include: Business Litigation The skills I have developed as an appellate attorney—exceptional research, clear thinking, forcible writing—also make me a strong advocate in business disputes at the trial level. My litigation practice focuses on three areas: (1) contract disputes, ranging from failed business transactions to real estate deals; (2) unfair competition including interference with contract, trade secrets, and antitrust violations; and (3) fraud, which could be a misrepresentation in a business transaction or complicated accounting and securities frauds. I have both a scholarly and a practical understanding of a variety of commercial issues. I have authored oft-cited business law articles, including scholarly work on corporate governance and an article the damages available in contract cases. I utilize this deep understanding of business law to posture commercial cases for trial. But trial often is unnecessary; I rarely loses dispositive motions. Some examples: Bankruptcy/Creditors’ Rights As a corollary to my work in business disputes, I also practice in bankruptcy, primarily focused on creditors’ rights. As with my other practice areas, my bankruptcy practice is informed by my own scholarly work. I recently published an American Law Report annotation on bankruptcy procedure. I have particular experience in recognition of international insolvencies under Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code. In fact, I recently appealed a Chapter 15 case to the United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Chapter 15 recognition is a niche practice; many attorneys are not even aware the Bankruptcy Code applies to international insolvencies. Nevertheless, I, and other attorneys at Baird Williams and Greer, have the expertise to help those either seeking or opposing Chapter 15 recognition. The DC/Northern Virginia (NOVA) Office
Baird Williams & Greer LLP While my practice is focused on Northern Virginia, BWG’s DC/NOVA office is still closely linked to the Phoenix office. The DC/NOVA offices offers the full panoply of legal services. When you engage the DC/NOVA office you get the benefit of the skill and experience of all BWG’s attorneys.
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After living and practicing law in Arizona for several years, I now make my home in Alexandria, Virginia with my wife and son. I am licensed in both the District of Columbia and Virginia, and I run the firm’s DC metro office, which is located at 600 Cameron St. in historic Old Town Alexandria (almost next door to George Washington’s Alexandria townhouse). 
