Bryan J. Gottfredson

Bryan Gottfredson is a trusted and experienced commercial litigator who is regularly relied upon to resolve his clients’ business-related disputes involving real estate, lending, breaches of contract, and/or corporate issues.

Bryan’s practice includes all aspects of litigation, from state and federal court proceedings and trials to private arbitration and mediation.

Bryan also regularly serves as a valued advisor and counselor to business owners and executives who rely on him to solve or work through their complex corporate, real estate, and commercial lending/financing problems while accomplishing their business objectives.

Bryan is the Managing Partner of Sacks Tierney, a shareholder, and has served on the firm’s Executive Committee since 2016.

Practice Areas

Civil Litigation

Business and Corporate Law

Real Estate Law

Representative Matters

Assisted clients in achieving numerous multimillion-dollar buyouts of member/shareholder interests in LLCs and/or corporations, through negotiation, litigation, and/or mediation.
Recovered a significant damage settlement on behalf of a landowner against a title insurance company on claims of breach of contract and insurance bad faith.
Successfully represented a minority shareholder of a closely held business in connection with claims against the majority shareholder concerning breach of fiduciary duty, minority oppression, and judicial dissolution. Defeated numerous business tort and contract counterclaims and successfully obtained a judgment that included an award of attorneys’ fees and costs for the client.
Resolved and settled an unjust-enrichment claim in federal court for a real property owner who sought approximately $1 million in unpaid rent and other damages associated with the unpermitted use and occupancy of a 5,000-acre ranching operation.
Successfully represented a golf course developer in numerous lawsuits involving competing claims to real estate, development costs, and claims asserted by a homeowner association.
Effectively negotiated a resolution for a general contractor in a multimillion- dollar contract dispute regarding the development, construction, and sales proceeds of a golf course and resort community.
Routinely represent lenders and creditors in connection with defaulted loans and collection matters. Frequently utilize pre-judgment remedies and/or receiverships in connection with lending disputes.
Represented many landlords in commercial landlord/tenant matters, seeking rent, other damages, and/or injunctive relief.
In a AAA arbitration, successfully defended a national private school against a $3 million claim filed by a former student alleging various tort theories of recovery.
Prevailed on each contract claim asserted by a homeowners association against a property owner in a dispute regarding interpretation of CC&Rs, and received a final judgment granting his client nearly all of its legal fees and costs incurred in the lawsuit.

Honors and Awards

The Best Lawyers in America^® (Litigation – Real Estate), 2021

Super Lawyers® Rising Stars, 2013-2017

AV-Preeminent Rating®, Martindale-Hubbell®

“Arizona’s Top Lawyers,” AzBusiness Magazine: Generation Next, 2014; Litigation, 2010

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association: Section of Litigation, Trial Practice Committee, Articles and Newsletter Editor, Web Editor

State Bar of Arizona: Executive Committee, Securities Regulation Law Section State Bar of Texas

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association

Court and Bar Admissions

Arizona

Texas

U.S. District Court, District of Arizona

Articles

“Should a Judge, Jury, or Arbitrator Decide Your Complex Commercial Case?” (co-author), American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Trial Practice Committee, April 2020

“Closing Arguments: Common Pitfalls and Pointers” (co-author), American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Trial Practice Committee, February 2019

“Equitable Assumption of a Commercial Lease: Tips for Commercial Property Owners,” Sacks Tierney Client Newsletter, July 2014

Presentations

“Role of a Lawyer in a Commercial Real Estate Loan,” Guest Lecturer, Masters in Real Estate Development Program, Arizona State University, October 2015

Education

J.D., University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, 2006

B.A., cum laude, Economics, University of Arizona, 2001

Community Leadership

University of Arizona Law College Association: Board of Directors

Hon Kachina Council: Former Member, Board of Directors

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: “Arizona’s Finest Couples” Honoree

Men's Arts Council, Phoenix Art Museum: Former Member