Phil Higdon’s nearly 50 years of experience include representing clients in complex civil commercial litigation, arbitration, and counseling. Through this experience he has amassed deep knowledge in diverse substantive legal areas, including commercial contracts, business torts, labor and employment, construction defects, intellectual property, estate and probate, water rights, media, and constitutional rights.
Phil frequently represents employers in both the private and public sectors, counseling on and litigating claims of misclassification of employees as independent contractors, wrongful termination, employment discrimination, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of employment contracts, and violation of wage-and-hour laws. He also has dedicated substantial time to representing Native American tribes in Arizona in commercial and construction litigation matters, labor collective bargaining, administrative law issues, and arbitration of intertribal disputes. Phil’s clients span a range of industries, including aerospace, financial services, construction, publishing, and healthcare. Recently, he represented a prominent Portland, Oregon company in a high-profile class action regarding allegedly fraudulent billing practices.
An experienced arbitrator, he is a member of the large complex, commercial, and labor and employment arbitration panels of the American Arbitration Association. Phil is also a former adjunct faculty member of Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
Professional Recognition
- Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
Professional Leadership
- American Arbitration Association, Member, Commercial, Employment and Large Complex Case Panels; Chair, Tucson Advisory Council, 2001 - 2002; Panel Member, 2015
- State Bar of Arizona, Member, Consumer Information and Education Task Force, 2008 - 2009
- Morris K. Udall Inn of Court, 2001 - 2003
- State Bar of New Mexico, Member, Pro Bono Committee, 1983 - 1989; Chair, Pro Bono Committee, 1983 - 1984; Advisory Opinion Committee, 1983 - 1984; Acting Chair, Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section, 1983
Community Involvement
- American Diabetes Association National Board of Directors, 2007 - 2009
- Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, Board of Directors, 2016 - 2019
Related Employment
- Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Adjunct Professor, 2011 - present
- University of Arizona James Rogers College of Law, Adjunct Professor, 1992 - 2002
- Sutin, Thayer & Browne, Santa Fe, NM, Shareholder, 1984 - 1989
- University of New Mexico School of Law, Adjunct Professor, 1982
- Western New England College School of Law, Visiting Associate Professor, 1979
- Brown, Bain & Bingaman, Santa Fe, NM, Partner, 1981 - 1984
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Brown & Bain, P.A., Associate, Partner, 1973 - 1981