Firm Profile

Gary Lassen is a trial and appellate lawyer whose practice focuses on complex employment, civil, and constitutional cases, with particular emphasis on the defense of public and private institutional employers.

Mr. Lassen has served as lead counsel in dozens of Arizona trials in both state and federal courts, has participated in more than 200 administrative hearings regarding employee termination, and has in recent years conducted several “high profile” investigations for clients, including utilities, school districts, counties and courts.

He has assisted public institutions when there is major conflict between and among the board members and the CEO, management and employee groups. Mr. Lassen’s experience as a lawyer and his training as a Psychologist make him a preferred choice as a mediator in difficult cases.

Mr. Lassen provides advice and litigation representation to public and private employers, including defense against claims alleging age, sex, race or disability discrimination; wrongful discharge; sexual harassment; whistle blowing; and negligent hiring and supervision. He is able to draw on his training as a psychologist in the defense of employment cases.

Mr. Lassen has extensive knowledge and experience in a wide range of education law matters, including employment and personnel matters; election and voting rights issues; student rights and responsibilities (including disciplinary matters and constitutional issues involving First Amendment rights, dress code, drug testing, search and seizure); governing board advice; opening meeting law; confidentiality of records; construction claims; procurement law; bid disputes; contracts; and general business matters and litigation.

Since opening his own Law Firm, Mr. Lassen has realized his primary goal of being able to develop close relationships with clients, allowing him to provide the quality representation offered by the most prestigious firms, with a greater level of communication and accountability. Because he works closely with each client on every aspect of a case, Mr. Lassen is better able to discover opportunities and take advantage of creative approaches to resolving disputes.

Mr. Lassen has practiced law in Arizona for 28 years, serving as an Assistant Attorney General from 1980 to 1982, as a partner in the law firm of DeConcini, McDonald, Brammer, Yetwin & Lacy in its Phoenix office, and 15 years at the law firm of Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C., serving as its Managing Partner from 1995 to 2002.

Mr. Lassen is admitted before the Supreme Court of the United States. In 2006 he handled several significant Arizona cases in the Arizona Supreme Court involving the constitutionality of recent legislation.

Mr. Lassen has been a frequent speaker at seminars for lawyers and educators at the local and national level. He currently works with Upslopes, an Arizona-based company providing technology-based learning solutions for human resource professionals in the area of employment law.

Gary Lassen, representing public and private institutional clients in state and federal courts throughout Arizona, and the United States.