A veteran in the practice of Arizona construction law, David C. Tierney has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® every year since 2003 and is a four-time Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Construction Law, Construction Litigation Arbitration, and Mediation.

Education

  • Harvard University, J.D. (1965)
  • Brandeis University, B.A. (1962)

Community Leadership

  • Valley Leadership, Inc.:“Man of the Year”; Past Member, Board of Directors (2016)
  • Phoenix Symphony: Board of Overseers
  • St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center Community Board: Past Chair
  • Arizona Behavioral Health Corporation: Board of Directors
  • Arizona Foundation for Behavioral Health: Board of Directors
  • Restorative Justice Resources Coalition, Inc.: Chairman
  • Arizona Coalition for Tomorrow: Past President
  • Irish American Cultural Institute: Past Chair
  • Arizona State University College of Law: Former Adjunct Professor of Construction Law
  • Maricopa County Self-Insured Trust Fund: Past Chair, Board of Trustees
  • Arizona Policy Forum, Vice President (1998 – 2006)
  • Provost’s Advisory Committee, ASU West (1997 – 2004)
  • Arizona Prison Industries, Chairman, Board of Trustees (1981 – 1987)
  • Governor’s Commission on Computers in Education: Chair (1984 – 1985)
  • Maricopa County Nonpartisan Commission on Trial Court Appointments (1975 – 1979)
  • Peace Corps: Volunteer (1966 – 1969)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Massachusetts (1965)
  • Arizona (1969)
  • U.S. District Court, District of Arizona (1969)
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (1971)
  • U.S. Supreme Court (1971)

Clerkships

  • Law Clerk to Justice Paul C. Reardon, Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts (1965 – 1966)

Honors & Awards

  • Maricopa County Bar Association Hall of Fame (2016)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® Lawyer of the Year, Construction Litigation (Phoenix, 2014), Construction Law (Scottsdale, 2017, 2021, 2025), Arbitration (Scottsdale, 2020), Mediation (Scottsdale, 2022)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®: Commercial Litigation (2006 – 2025); Construction Law (2007 – 2025); Arbitration, Construction Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Mediation (2011 – 2025)
  • AV-Preeminent™ Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Super Lawyers (2007-2019, 2021, 2025); Top 50 Arizona (2009 – 2012)
  • AzBusiness Magazine, Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, (2013, 2014, 2017)
  • AzBusiness Magazine Az Business Leaders (Law: ADR) (2020)
  • The American Lawyer, Top Rated Lawyers, Commercial Litigation Law (2013)
  • Judge Learned Hand Award (Community Service): American Jewish Committee, Arizona Region (2011)
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • Arizona’s Finest Lawyers (2010 – 2020)

Professional & Industry Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • State Bar of Arizona: Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Past Chair; Construction Law Section, Past Chair
  • American Arbitration Association: Commercial Panel; Construction Panel; Construction Mediation Panel; AAA Construction Advisory Council, Chairman
  • Co-Editor, Construction Law Practice Manual, 3rd Ed. (2016), State Bar of Arizona
  • Co-Editor, Construction Law Practice Manual, 2nd Ed. (2011), State Bar of Arizona
  • Maricopa County Bar Association

Language Fluency

  • Spanish

Reported Cases

  • Precision Components, Inc. v. Harrison, Harper, Christian & Dichter, P.C., 179 Ariz. 552, 880 P.2d 1098 (Ariz. App. Div. 2, Nov. 4, 1993) (No. 2 CA-CV 93-0239)
  • Tracy v. Superior Court of Maricopa County, 168 Ariz. 23, 810 P.2d 1030 (Ariz., Apr. 23, 1991) (No. CV90-0407-SA)
  • Mandraes v. Hungerford, 127 Ariz. 585, 623 P.2d 15 (Ariz., Jan. 9, 1981) (No. 14981)
  • Greenfield v. Cheek, 122 Ariz. 70, 593 P.2d 293, Blue Sky L. Rep. P71, 440, Fed. Sec. L. Rep, P96,560 (Ariz. App., Sep. 19, 1978) (No. 1 CA-CIV 3785)
  • Greenfield v. Cheek, 122 Ariz. 57, 593 P.2d 280 (Ariz., Mar. 23, 1979) (No. 14074-PR)
  • Sundown Imports, Inc. v. Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division, 115 Ariz. 428, 565 P.2d 1289 (Ariz., App., Mar 14, 1977) (No. 2 CA-CIV 2282)
  • Application of Collins, 108 Ariz. 310, 497 P.2d 523 (Ariz., Jun. 1, 1972) (No. H-585)
  • Keams v. Tempe Technical Institute, Inc., 39 F.3d 222, 63 USLW 2285, 95 Ed. Law Rep. 513 (9th Cir. [Ariz.], Oct. 31, 1994) (No.92-16349)
  • Keams v. Tempe Technical Institute, Inc., 110 F.3d 44 (9th Cir. 1997)
  • Crawford v. American Institute of Professional Careers, Inc., 934 F.Supp. 335, 112 Ed. Law Rep. 222 (D. Ariz., May 17, 1996) (No. CIV 94-2402 PHX CAM, CIV 96-0646 PHX CAM, CIV 95-0366 PHX CAM)
  • Keams v. Tempe Technical Institute, Inc., 807 F.Supp. 569, 79 Ed. Law Rep. 846 (D. Ariz., May 4, 1992) (No. CIV 91-0728 PHX RCB)
  • In re: Residential Resources Mortgage Investments Corp., 98 B.R. 2, Bankr. L. Rep. P 72,723 (Bankr. D. Ariz., Feb. 16, 1989) (No. B-89-0200, 89-53, ‘B’)
  • ABC Supply v. Edwards, 232 Ariz. Adv. Rep. 9 (CA 12/17/96)

Articles & Presentations