Janet B. Hutchison Of Counsel

Corporate and Business Transactions Real Estate

Ms. Hutchison is a commercial transactional attorney and litigator whose practice focuses on the areas of employment, real estate and general business matters.

Ms. Hutchison has extensive experience in employment matters, including discrimination, wrongful discharge, and wage and hour matters. She frequently advises clients on employment policies and procedures and represents employers in federal and state court litigation, as well as before various administrative agencies.

Her experience as a commercial attorney includes real estate acquisitions, sales, employment, leasing and financing arrangements, and transactions. She has appeared before state and municipal agencies including zoning boards and city councils.

Education

Arizona State University College of Law (J.D., 1981)
Special Projects Editor, Arizona State Law Journal
Arizona State University (B.A., magna cum laude)

Court Admissions

State of Arizona
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit

Professional Memberships & Activities

Board of Directors, Arizona Women Lawyers, State of Arizona (2005-present) – President, 2014
Real Estate Advisory Commission, Board of Legal Specialization for the State Bar of Arizona
- Member (1991-present)
- Examination Committee (1997-present)
- Vice Chair (1998-2005, 2011)
- Chair (2005-2007)
The Junior League of Phoenix, Inc., Member (1986-present)
- President (2001-2002)
Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law Alumni Association
- Board Member (2011 – present)
The Junior League of Phoenix Foundation – President (2008-2009)
- Board Member (2006-2009)
American Bar Association
- Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section – Member
- Labor and Employment Law Section – Member
State Bar of Arizona
Maricopa County Bar Association – Member

Trials & Representations

Represented a producer and supplier of heavy building materials in various employment discrimination claims and law suits
Successfully defended employer in wrongful termination action, involving drug testing, including successful defense of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Represented a provider of emergency department services in overtime pay disputes
Represented a furniture manufacturer in claim of employment discrimination
Represented a developer involved in guaranteeing payments in a bond issuance for the building of a sewer treatment plant, including negotiation and documentation of transaction involving connection reservations, letters of credit and guaranties, restructuring the transaction, and preparing, presenting and arguing motions to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to obtain approvals
Represented national company in sale of multiple Arizona properties including negotiation and documentation of sale and financing
Represented hotel developer in acquisition of several hotel and resort properties, including negotiation and documentation of purchase, financing and management arrangements
Represented buyers, sellers, developers, landlords, lenders and others in a variety of real estate developments, leases and transactions
Represented clients in business acquisitions, mergers and combinations

Publications & Presentations

Periodically answers questions relating to employment issues in the Arizona Central’s “Ask the Expert” column (2012 – present)
Sole Presenter, “The Care and Maintenance of Piece Rate Workers,” Phoenix, Arizona, in partnership with the Homebuilders Association of Central Phoenix (May 16, 2012)
Author, “Arizona Legislature Provides Guidance to Employers in Dealing with the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act,” (May 2, 2011)
Speaker, “The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act’s Impact on Employers,” Phoenix, Arizona (March 20, 2011)
Author, “The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act Presents Issues for Employers,” Jennings Strouss Labor & Employment Client Alert (2011)
Author, “Arizona’s Minimum Wage Increases,” Jennings Strouss Labor & Employment Client Alert (2011)
Sole Presenter, “Social Media in the Workplace,” Phoenix, Arizona (September 29, 2011)
Presenter, “Respect and Anti-Harassment Training,” (2010)
Speaker, “Employee Discipline; Internal Investigations,” Arizona Assisted Living Federation of America, Phoenix, Arizona (2005)
Presenter, In-house training for managers and supervisors on anti-harassment and discrimination (2005)
Speaker, “Legal Opinions – The Battle Continues,” Current Issues in Commercial Real Estate, Lorman Education Services, Phoenix, Arizona (May 1997, May 1998, May 1999, December 1999)
Speaker, “Motions for Summary Judgment: Practical, Tactical, Doctrinal and Essential Insights for Prosecuting and Defending Against Rule 56 Motions,” Maricopa County Bar Association (May 1996)
Speaker, “Legal Opinions – Is the Battle Over,” Current Issues in Commercial Real Estate, Lorman Education Services, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona (1996)
Author, “Materiality and Internal Accounting Controls in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,” Arizona State Law Journal (1980)
Regularly conducts seminars and presentations for clients and organizations regarding employment issues including Managers’ Training, and Employment Audits