Lancer Law

Lancer Law

Lancer Law committed to helping clients in Southern Arizona achieve the best legal results in all areas, including estate planning, real estate, civil litigation, family law, criminal defense, and others.

This lawyer is licensed to practice in Arizona and has no record of discipline from the Arizona bar association. *

Lancer Law

Lancer Law

Lancer Law committed to helping clients in Southern Arizona achieve the best legal results in all areas, including estate planning, real estate, civil litigation, family law, criminal defense, and others.

This lawyer is licensed to practice in Arizona and has no record of discipline from the Arizona bar association. *

Firm Overview

Lancer Law was established in May 2013 upon the merger of Harlow Spanier, PLLC, and The Heckele Law Firm, PLLC. The partners of these firms Brian C. Harlow, Zachary H. Spanier, and Mark W. Heckele saw an opportunity to combine their experience and expertise to create a firm that could provide the personal touch of a small firm while delivering the kind of commitment to excellence that one might find at a larger firm. In addition, their diverse legal backgrounds allows them to cover a wide range of matters. In Spring of 2017, the firm welcomed Gerald F. Giordano to the partnership and updated the firm's name; and in 2023 the firm added Robert S. Pearson (of counsel), and rebrabded to Lancer Law.

We are a full-service law firm. At our core, we are committed to providing excellent client service. We strive to efficiently find solutions to the problems facing our clients. Our attorneys currently offer legal services across a wide range of practice areas, which can be explored under "Firm Specialties."

Main Office

Copper Plaza
2501 N. Campbell Ave.
Suite 102
Tucson, AZ 85719

Phone

(520) 352-0008

Fax

(520) 303-9944

Fees
Free Initial Consultation?

Yes, in most instances.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

Flat rates may be available on a case-by-case basis.

Hourly Rates

300

Office Information
Office Hours

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Office Manager

Claudio Munguia

Emergency After Hours

No

Languages Spoken

English, Spanish

Estate Planning

Lancer Law handles all aspects of estate planning, from probate and trust litigation to drafting wills, power of attorney documents and trusts.

Estate Planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the disposal of an estate during a person's life. Estate Planning typically attempts to eliminate uncertainties over the administration of a Probate and maximize the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses. However, the ultimate goal of estate plan is determined by the specific goals of the client, and may be as simple or complex as the client's needs dictate. As part of Estate Planning, generally, guardians are often designated for minor children and beneficiaries in incapacity.

As part of its commitment to Elder Law, the experienced Estate Planning attorneys at Lancer Law prepare a trust, last will and testament, power of attorney, and health-care directives for their clients.

In addition, our firm offers legal services for Probate and Trust Administration and Litigation, Guardianship and Conservatorship and financial exploitation cases.

At Lancer Law, we believe that everyone should plan for the future through effective Estate Planning. Regardless of the size of your estate or how many assets you own, an estate plan provides many cost-effective and practical benefits while giving you peace of mind. Proper planning for the administration of your estate can also lessen family confusion and conflict in potentially difficult times.

Probate

The process of dealing with a loved-ones estate after they pass away can be complex, stressful and challenging. If the decedent did not have estate planning documents in place, it can be even more difficult. Lancer Law can help.

The Probate process in Arizona is essentially this:

After a decedent's death, the person named in his will as Personal Representative (sometimes called the executor or executrix) or, if you die without a Will, the person appointed by a judge files papers in the local probate court. The Personal Representative proves the validity of the decedent's Last Will and Testament and presents the court with lists of his property, debts, and who is to inherit what the decedent has left.

Once the validity of the Will has been established and the heirs identified the relatives and creditors of the estate are officially notified of the decedent's death.

In the interim, the Personal Representative must find, secure, and manage the decedent's assets during the Probate process, which commonly takes a few months to a year. Depending on the contents of the decedent's Will, and on the amount of his debts, the Personal Representative may have to decide whether or not to sell the decedent's real estate, securities, or other property. For example, if the Will makes a number of cash bequests but the decedent's estate consists mostly of valuable artwork, the collection might have to be appraised and sold to produce cash. Or, if the decedent has substantial outstanding debts, the Personal Representative might have to sell some of his property to pay those debts.

In most states, immediate family members may ask the court to release short-term support funds while the probate proceedings lumber on. Then, eventually, the court will grant permission to the Personal Representative to pay the decedent's debts and taxes and divide the rest among the devisees named in his Will. Finally, the decedent's property will be transferred to its new owners.

In some instances; for example when a decedent's estate does not have many assets (see, Small Estate Probate Exemption at A.R.S. 14-3971(B)), a Personal Representative can administer the decedent's estate without the necessity of going through the Probate process.

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

Get all of thebenefits of a large firm at a small firm price. Excellence is our standard.

Lancer Law
Mark W. Heckele

Mark Heckele is a licensed attorney in Arizona. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a Masters' degree in business administration (M.B.A.) from the Eller College of Management and a doctoral degree in law (J.D.) from the James E. Rogers College of Law, Mr. Heckele joined the Law Office of Drue A. Morgan-Birch, P.C. before founding The Heckele Law Firm PLLC, in March 2010. In July 2010, Mr. Heckele was invited to affiliate with the reputable firm of Karp & Weiss, P.C., as an attorney of counsel. In April, 2012, Mr. Heckele joined Dorris & Giordano, P.L.C. as an attorney of counsel. And, in May 2013, Mark Heckele helped form Harlow, Spanier & Heckele, PLLC, now Giordano Spanier & Heckele, PLLC where he is a managing member.

Mark W. Heckele's legal practice focuses on civil litigation and transactional law in the areas of Real Estate, Business Law, Estate Planning and Intellectual Property. His experience includes: escrow and title insurance; commercial and residential sales/purchases and leasing; contracts; Construction Defects; easements; Foreclosures and Loan Modification; Landlord-Tenant Laws; Land Use Acquisition and Development, property management; homeowners associations (HOAs) and CC&Rs; corporate formation; Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A); Alternative Dispute Resolution; Debt Collection; Estate Planning; and general legal counsel.

In addition to his legal career, Mr. Heckele has been a licensed real estate agent in Arizona for over 10 years, focusing primarily on residential resale, contracts, property management and landlord-tenant issues. Along with his legal expertise, Mark W. Heckele approaches each legal issue from a highly practical standpoint, providing his clients with comprehensive representation.

Mr. Heckele is active throughout the business, legal and philanthropic community, and is/was: the President of the Pima County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (YLD); state representative for the American Bar Association YLD; a member of the Morris K. Udall Inn of Court; alumnus of Phi Alpha Delta; an Advocate for the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA); board member of Tucson Young Professionals; a member of Business Networking International; and board member of the German-American Club of Tucson. Mark Heckele was also recognized by Inside Tucson Business as one of Tucson's "Up & Comers" of 2011.

License

Bar Number: 027588
Arizona, 2019

Lancer Law
Mark W. Heckele

Mark Heckele is a licensed attorney in Arizona. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a Masters' degree in business administration (M.B.A.) from the Eller College of Management and a doctoral degree in law (J.D.) from the James E. Rogers College of Law, Mr. Heckele joined the Law Office of Drue A. Morgan-Birch, P.C. before founding The Heckele Law Firm PLLC, in March 2010. In July 2010, Mr. Heckele was invited to affiliate with the reputable firm of Karp & Weiss, P.C., as an attorney of counsel. In April, 2012, Mr. Heckele joined Dorris & Giordano, P.L.C. as an attorney of counsel. And, in May 2013, Mark Heckele helped form Harlow, Spanier & Heckele, PLLC, now Giordano Spanier & Heckele, PLLC where he is a managing member.

Mark W. Heckele's legal practice focuses on civil litigation and transactional law in the areas of Real Estate, Business Law, Estate Planning and Intellectual Property. His experience includes: escrow and title insurance; commercial and residential sales/purchases and leasing; contracts; Construction Defects; easements; Foreclosures and Loan Modification; Landlord-Tenant Laws; Land Use Acquisition and Development, property management; homeowners associations (HOAs) and CC&Rs; corporate formation; Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A); Alternative Dispute Resolution; Debt Collection; Estate Planning; and general legal counsel.

In addition to his legal career, Mr. Heckele has been a licensed real estate agent in Arizona for over 10 years, focusing primarily on residential resale, contracts, property management and landlord-tenant issues. Along with his legal expertise, Mark W. Heckele approaches each legal issue from a highly practical standpoint, providing his clients with comprehensive representation.

Mr. Heckele is active throughout the business, legal and philanthropic community, and is/was: the President of the Pima County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (YLD); state representative for the American Bar Association YLD; a member of the Morris K. Udall Inn of Court; alumnus of Phi Alpha Delta; an Advocate for the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA); board member of Tucson Young Professionals; a member of Business Networking International; and board member of the German-American Club of Tucson. Mark Heckele was also recognized by Inside Tucson Business as one of Tucson's "Up & Comers" of 2011.

License

Bar Number: 027588
Arizona, 2019

Lancer Law
Gerald F. Giordano

Gerald Giordano has been practicing law in Arizona since 1998, and in Tucson since 2000. His practice is concentrated in civil litigation of almost all types, including business and real estate litigation, commercial torts, professional malpractice, personal injury, probate litigation, and representation of creditors in bankruptcy proceedings.

Mr. Giordano grew up in Tucson, graduating from Salpointe Catholic High School, where he was a National Merit Scholar. He earned a B.A. in Mathematical Economics from Pomona College, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. After working for several years in accounting with a pair of Tucson companies, Up With People and Photometrics Ltd., he attended the University of Arizona College of Law, graduating summa cum laude and first in the class of 1998. He was an editor for the Arizona Law Review and was made a member of the Order of the Coif.

Mr. Giordano began his practice with Meyer Hendricks & Bivens in Phoenix from 1998 to 2000, then returned to Tucson to work for Snell & Wilmer LLP, the largest law firm in Arizona, beginning in April 2000. He became a partner at Snell & Wilmer in 2005. He left Snell & Wilmer in 2008, and was a principal at Dorris & Giordano PLC from 2008 to 2017.

Mr. Giordano has extensive experience in Arizona state and federal courts. He was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in October 1998. He was also admitted to the bar of the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits and the U.S. District Courts for the District of Arizona and the Western District of Texas.

Mr. Giordano is active at Casas Church in northwest Tucson, where he is a campus host and Bible study teacher. He is the proud father of a US Marine, and lives in Tucson with his wife Lisa, and their three younger children.

License

Bar Number: 019097
Arizona, 1998

Lancer Law
Gerald F. Giordano

Gerald Giordano has been practicing law in Arizona since 1998, and in Tucson since 2000. His practice is concentrated in civil litigation of almost all types, including business and real estate litigation, commercial torts, professional malpractice, personal injury, probate litigation, and representation of creditors in bankruptcy proceedings.

Mr. Giordano grew up in Tucson, graduating from Salpointe Catholic High School, where he was a National Merit Scholar. He earned a B.A. in Mathematical Economics from Pomona College, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. After working for several years in accounting with a pair of Tucson companies, Up With People and Photometrics Ltd., he attended the University of Arizona College of Law, graduating summa cum laude and first in the class of 1998. He was an editor for the Arizona Law Review and was made a member of the Order of the Coif.

Mr. Giordano began his practice with Meyer Hendricks & Bivens in Phoenix from 1998 to 2000, then returned to Tucson to work for Snell & Wilmer LLP, the largest law firm in Arizona, beginning in April 2000. He became a partner at Snell & Wilmer in 2005. He left Snell & Wilmer in 2008, and was a principal at Dorris & Giordano PLC from 2008 to 2017.

Mr. Giordano has extensive experience in Arizona state and federal courts. He was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in October 1998. He was also admitted to the bar of the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits and the U.S. District Courts for the District of Arizona and the Western District of Texas.

Mr. Giordano is active at Casas Church in northwest Tucson, where he is a campus host and Bible study teacher. He is the proud father of a US Marine, and lives in Tucson with his wife Lisa, and their three younger children.

License

Bar Number: 019097
Arizona, 1998

Lancer Law
Robert Pearson

A graduate of Booth-Fickett Magnet School, Salpointe Catholic High School, and the University of Arizona (undergrad and law school), Robert is a Tucson native and attorney. In 2022, having been trained by top firms and lawyers in the region, Robert opened his own firm, with a unique vision for a modern firm, incorporating technology, to provide accessible, quality legal-services to businesses and individuals. Robert has a passion for the law—especially for legal writing. He believes writing matters to effective advocacy; and he enjoys putting that passion to work to advocate for his clients.

Education

J.D., University of Arizona College of Law
Arizona Journal of International & Comparative Law, Writer
Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy, Managing Editor
American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence, Recipient
Highest grade in class: Bankruptcy and Related Issues
B.A., cum laude, University of Arizona (political-science major, pre-law minor)

Litigation Matters

With jury-trial and arbitration experience, Robert has litigated cases—big and small—in federal and state court across a range of practice areas. Here are several examples of Robert’s litigation experience:

Obtaining dismissal at the motion to dismiss stage for real estate developer client facing multi-count lawsuit in federal court arising from a Costa Rican hotel-development project;

Defending major university in high-profile litigation gaining national media coverage involving students and claims for negligent employment and Title IX violations;

Defending government entities and employees in high-profile personal injury cases gaining local media coverage involving claims of various governmental negligence;

Defending receivership application sought against local multimillion-dollar company;

Defending commercial tenant in case involving novel leasing issues raised by emergence of COVID-19

In addition to Robert’s litigation practice (trial and appellate), Robert advises companies and individuals on compliance issues and pre-lawsuit disputes—helping clients manage risk and efficiently resolve disputes when they arise, guiding clients through relevant legal and regulatory issues, strategy, and public-relations sensitivities.

Publications

Residential Security Deposits: Does A.R.S. § 33-1321 Require Itemizations? The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (November 2017)
Fee-shifting Basics Part Two: Interplay Between A.R.S. § 12-341.01(A) and Contractual Fees Provisions, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (July 2017)
Fee-shifting Basics: Understanding A.R.S. § 12-341.01, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Jan. 2017) (co-author)
Judge Bostwick Takes Her Seat, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Sept. 2016)
Writing Matters – Brief Tips, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Mar. 2016) (offering tips to improve court briefs)
Writing Matters, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Oct. 2015) (suggesting that lawyers should pay closer attention to their writing)

Admissions

State Bar of Arizona
Arizona Superior Court
Arizona Court of Appeals
Arizona Supreme Court
United States District Court, District of Arizona (federal court)
Past Professional & Community
Pima County Bar Association (PCBA), Board of Directors
AVIVA Children’s Services, Board of Directors
The Writ, PCBA, Editorial Board
American Heart Association, Heart Ball, Executive Leadership Committee
Prior Law-Related Employment
(before and after law school)
United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division, Washington DC
Snell & Wilmer, Tucson, AZ
Fennemore Craig, Tucson & Phoenix, AZ
Harlow Spanier & Heckele, Tucson, AZ
Rusing Lopez & Lizardi, Tucson, AZ
Burris & MacOmber, Tucson, AZ
Full CV available upon request

License

Bar Number: 032404
Arizona, 2015

Lancer Law
Robert Pearson

A graduate of Booth-Fickett Magnet School, Salpointe Catholic High School, and the University of Arizona (undergrad and law school), Robert is a Tucson native and attorney. In 2022, having been trained by top firms and lawyers in the region, Robert opened his own firm, with a unique vision for a modern firm, incorporating technology, to provide accessible, quality legal-services to businesses and individuals. Robert has a passion for the law—especially for legal writing. He believes writing matters to effective advocacy; and he enjoys putting that passion to work to advocate for his clients.

Education

J.D., University of Arizona College of Law
Arizona Journal of International & Comparative Law, Writer
Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy, Managing Editor
American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence, Recipient
Highest grade in class: Bankruptcy and Related Issues
B.A., cum laude, University of Arizona (political-science major, pre-law minor)

Litigation Matters

With jury-trial and arbitration experience, Robert has litigated cases—big and small—in federal and state court across a range of practice areas. Here are several examples of Robert’s litigation experience:

Obtaining dismissal at the motion to dismiss stage for real estate developer client facing multi-count lawsuit in federal court arising from a Costa Rican hotel-development project;

Defending major university in high-profile litigation gaining national media coverage involving students and claims for negligent employment and Title IX violations;

Defending government entities and employees in high-profile personal injury cases gaining local media coverage involving claims of various governmental negligence;

Defending receivership application sought against local multimillion-dollar company;

Defending commercial tenant in case involving novel leasing issues raised by emergence of COVID-19

In addition to Robert’s litigation practice (trial and appellate), Robert advises companies and individuals on compliance issues and pre-lawsuit disputes—helping clients manage risk and efficiently resolve disputes when they arise, guiding clients through relevant legal and regulatory issues, strategy, and public-relations sensitivities.

Publications

Residential Security Deposits: Does A.R.S. § 33-1321 Require Itemizations? The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (November 2017)
Fee-shifting Basics Part Two: Interplay Between A.R.S. § 12-341.01(A) and Contractual Fees Provisions, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (July 2017)
Fee-shifting Basics: Understanding A.R.S. § 12-341.01, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Jan. 2017) (co-author)
Judge Bostwick Takes Her Seat, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Sept. 2016)
Writing Matters – Brief Tips, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Mar. 2016) (offering tips to improve court briefs)
Writing Matters, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Oct. 2015) (suggesting that lawyers should pay closer attention to their writing)

Admissions

State Bar of Arizona
Arizona Superior Court
Arizona Court of Appeals
Arizona Supreme Court
United States District Court, District of Arizona (federal court)
Past Professional & Community
Pima County Bar Association (PCBA), Board of Directors
AVIVA Children’s Services, Board of Directors
The Writ, PCBA, Editorial Board
American Heart Association, Heart Ball, Executive Leadership Committee
Prior Law-Related Employment
(before and after law school)
United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division, Washington DC
Snell & Wilmer, Tucson, AZ
Fennemore Craig, Tucson & Phoenix, AZ
Harlow Spanier & Heckele, Tucson, AZ
Rusing Lopez & Lizardi, Tucson, AZ
Burris & MacOmber, Tucson, AZ
Full CV available upon request

License

Bar Number: 032404
Arizona, 2015

Firm Overview

Lancer Law was established in May 2013 upon the merger of Harlow Spanier, PLLC, and The Heckele Law Firm, PLLC. The partners of these firms Brian C. Harlow, Zachary H. Spanier, and Mark W. Heckele saw an opportunity to combine their experience and expertise to create a firm that could provide the personal touch of a small firm while delivering the kind of commitment to excellence that one might find at a larger firm. In addition, their diverse legal backgrounds allows them to cover a wide range of matters. In Spring of 2017, the firm welcomed Gerald F. Giordano to the partnership and updated the firm's name; and in 2023 the firm added Robert S. Pearson (of counsel), and rebrabded to Lancer Law.

We are a full-service law firm. At our core, we are committed to providing excellent client service. We strive to efficiently find solutions to the problems facing our clients. Our attorneys currently offer legal services across a wide range of practice areas, which can be explored under "Firm Specialties."

Main Office

Copper Plaza
2501 N. Campbell Ave.
Suite 102
Tucson, AZ 85719

Phone

(520) 352-0008

Fax

(520) 303-9944

Fees
Free Initial Consultation?

Yes, in most instances.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

Flat rates may be available on a case-by-case basis.

Hourly Rates

300

Office Information
Office Hours

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Office Manager

Claudio Munguia

Emergency After Hours

No

Languages Spoken

English, Spanish

Estate Planning

Lancer Law handles all aspects of estate planning, from probate and trust litigation to drafting wills, power of attorney documents and trusts.

Estate Planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the disposal of an estate during a person's life. Estate Planning typically attempts to eliminate uncertainties over the administration of a Probate and maximize the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses. However, the ultimate goal of estate plan is determined by the specific goals of the client, and may be as simple or complex as the client's needs dictate. As part of Estate Planning, generally, guardians are often designated for minor children and beneficiaries in incapacity.

As part of its commitment to Elder Law, the experienced Estate Planning attorneys at Lancer Law prepare a trust, last will and testament, power of attorney, and health-care directives for their clients.

In addition, our firm offers legal services for Probate and Trust Administration and Litigation, Guardianship and Conservatorship and financial exploitation cases.

At Lancer Law, we believe that everyone should plan for the future through effective Estate Planning. Regardless of the size of your estate or how many assets you own, an estate plan provides many cost-effective and practical benefits while giving you peace of mind. Proper planning for the administration of your estate can also lessen family confusion and conflict in potentially difficult times.

Probate

The process of dealing with a loved-ones estate after they pass away can be complex, stressful and challenging. If the decedent did not have estate planning documents in place, it can be even more difficult. Lancer Law can help.

The Probate process in Arizona is essentially this:

After a decedent's death, the person named in his will as Personal Representative (sometimes called the executor or executrix) or, if you die without a Will, the person appointed by a judge files papers in the local probate court. The Personal Representative proves the validity of the decedent's Last Will and Testament and presents the court with lists of his property, debts, and who is to inherit what the decedent has left.

Once the validity of the Will has been established and the heirs identified the relatives and creditors of the estate are officially notified of the decedent's death.

In the interim, the Personal Representative must find, secure, and manage the decedent's assets during the Probate process, which commonly takes a few months to a year. Depending on the contents of the decedent's Will, and on the amount of his debts, the Personal Representative may have to decide whether or not to sell the decedent's real estate, securities, or other property. For example, if the Will makes a number of cash bequests but the decedent's estate consists mostly of valuable artwork, the collection might have to be appraised and sold to produce cash. Or, if the decedent has substantial outstanding debts, the Personal Representative might have to sell some of his property to pay those debts.

In most states, immediate family members may ask the court to release short-term support funds while the probate proceedings lumber on. Then, eventually, the court will grant permission to the Personal Representative to pay the decedent's debts and taxes and divide the rest among the devisees named in his Will. Finally, the decedent's property will be transferred to its new owners.

In some instances; for example when a decedent's estate does not have many assets (see, Small Estate Probate Exemption at A.R.S. 14-3971(B)), a Personal Representative can administer the decedent's estate without the necessity of going through the Probate process.

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

Get all of thebenefits of a large firm at a small firm price. Excellence is our standard.

Lancer Law
Mark W. Heckele

Mark Heckele is a licensed attorney in Arizona. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a Masters' degree in business administration (M.B.A.) from the Eller College of Management and a doctoral degree in law (J.D.) from the James E. Rogers College of Law, Mr. Heckele joined the Law Office of Drue A. Morgan-Birch, P.C. before founding The Heckele Law Firm PLLC, in March 2010. In July 2010, Mr. Heckele was invited to affiliate with the reputable firm of Karp & Weiss, P.C., as an attorney of counsel. In April, 2012, Mr. Heckele joined Dorris & Giordano, P.L.C. as an attorney of counsel. And, in May 2013, Mark Heckele helped form Harlow, Spanier & Heckele, PLLC, now Giordano Spanier & Heckele, PLLC where he is a managing member.

Mark W. Heckele's legal practice focuses on civil litigation and transactional law in the areas of Real Estate, Business Law, Estate Planning and Intellectual Property. His experience includes: escrow and title insurance; commercial and residential sales/purchases and leasing; contracts; Construction Defects; easements; Foreclosures and Loan Modification; Landlord-Tenant Laws; Land Use Acquisition and Development, property management; homeowners associations (HOAs) and CC&Rs; corporate formation; Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A); Alternative Dispute Resolution; Debt Collection; Estate Planning; and general legal counsel.

In addition to his legal career, Mr. Heckele has been a licensed real estate agent in Arizona for over 10 years, focusing primarily on residential resale, contracts, property management and landlord-tenant issues. Along with his legal expertise, Mark W. Heckele approaches each legal issue from a highly practical standpoint, providing his clients with comprehensive representation.

Mr. Heckele is active throughout the business, legal and philanthropic community, and is/was: the President of the Pima County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (YLD); state representative for the American Bar Association YLD; a member of the Morris K. Udall Inn of Court; alumnus of Phi Alpha Delta; an Advocate for the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA); board member of Tucson Young Professionals; a member of Business Networking International; and board member of the German-American Club of Tucson. Mark Heckele was also recognized by Inside Tucson Business as one of Tucson's "Up & Comers" of 2011.

License

Bar Number: 027588
Arizona, 2019

Lancer Law
Mark W. Heckele

Mark Heckele is a licensed attorney in Arizona. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a Masters' degree in business administration (M.B.A.) from the Eller College of Management and a doctoral degree in law (J.D.) from the James E. Rogers College of Law, Mr. Heckele joined the Law Office of Drue A. Morgan-Birch, P.C. before founding The Heckele Law Firm PLLC, in March 2010. In July 2010, Mr. Heckele was invited to affiliate with the reputable firm of Karp & Weiss, P.C., as an attorney of counsel. In April, 2012, Mr. Heckele joined Dorris & Giordano, P.L.C. as an attorney of counsel. And, in May 2013, Mark Heckele helped form Harlow, Spanier & Heckele, PLLC, now Giordano Spanier & Heckele, PLLC where he is a managing member.

Mark W. Heckele's legal practice focuses on civil litigation and transactional law in the areas of Real Estate, Business Law, Estate Planning and Intellectual Property. His experience includes: escrow and title insurance; commercial and residential sales/purchases and leasing; contracts; Construction Defects; easements; Foreclosures and Loan Modification; Landlord-Tenant Laws; Land Use Acquisition and Development, property management; homeowners associations (HOAs) and CC&Rs; corporate formation; Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A); Alternative Dispute Resolution; Debt Collection; Estate Planning; and general legal counsel.

In addition to his legal career, Mr. Heckele has been a licensed real estate agent in Arizona for over 10 years, focusing primarily on residential resale, contracts, property management and landlord-tenant issues. Along with his legal expertise, Mark W. Heckele approaches each legal issue from a highly practical standpoint, providing his clients with comprehensive representation.

Mr. Heckele is active throughout the business, legal and philanthropic community, and is/was: the President of the Pima County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (YLD); state representative for the American Bar Association YLD; a member of the Morris K. Udall Inn of Court; alumnus of Phi Alpha Delta; an Advocate for the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA); board member of Tucson Young Professionals; a member of Business Networking International; and board member of the German-American Club of Tucson. Mark Heckele was also recognized by Inside Tucson Business as one of Tucson's "Up & Comers" of 2011.

License

Bar Number: 027588
Arizona, 2019

Lancer Law
Gerald F. Giordano

Gerald Giordano has been practicing law in Arizona since 1998, and in Tucson since 2000. His practice is concentrated in civil litigation of almost all types, including business and real estate litigation, commercial torts, professional malpractice, personal injury, probate litigation, and representation of creditors in bankruptcy proceedings.

Mr. Giordano grew up in Tucson, graduating from Salpointe Catholic High School, where he was a National Merit Scholar. He earned a B.A. in Mathematical Economics from Pomona College, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. After working for several years in accounting with a pair of Tucson companies, Up With People and Photometrics Ltd., he attended the University of Arizona College of Law, graduating summa cum laude and first in the class of 1998. He was an editor for the Arizona Law Review and was made a member of the Order of the Coif.

Mr. Giordano began his practice with Meyer Hendricks & Bivens in Phoenix from 1998 to 2000, then returned to Tucson to work for Snell & Wilmer LLP, the largest law firm in Arizona, beginning in April 2000. He became a partner at Snell & Wilmer in 2005. He left Snell & Wilmer in 2008, and was a principal at Dorris & Giordano PLC from 2008 to 2017.

Mr. Giordano has extensive experience in Arizona state and federal courts. He was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in October 1998. He was also admitted to the bar of the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits and the U.S. District Courts for the District of Arizona and the Western District of Texas.

Mr. Giordano is active at Casas Church in northwest Tucson, where he is a campus host and Bible study teacher. He is the proud father of a US Marine, and lives in Tucson with his wife Lisa, and their three younger children.

License

Bar Number: 019097
Arizona, 1998

Lancer Law
Gerald F. Giordano

Gerald Giordano has been practicing law in Arizona since 1998, and in Tucson since 2000. His practice is concentrated in civil litigation of almost all types, including business and real estate litigation, commercial torts, professional malpractice, personal injury, probate litigation, and representation of creditors in bankruptcy proceedings.

Mr. Giordano grew up in Tucson, graduating from Salpointe Catholic High School, where he was a National Merit Scholar. He earned a B.A. in Mathematical Economics from Pomona College, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. After working for several years in accounting with a pair of Tucson companies, Up With People and Photometrics Ltd., he attended the University of Arizona College of Law, graduating summa cum laude and first in the class of 1998. He was an editor for the Arizona Law Review and was made a member of the Order of the Coif.

Mr. Giordano began his practice with Meyer Hendricks & Bivens in Phoenix from 1998 to 2000, then returned to Tucson to work for Snell & Wilmer LLP, the largest law firm in Arizona, beginning in April 2000. He became a partner at Snell & Wilmer in 2005. He left Snell & Wilmer in 2008, and was a principal at Dorris & Giordano PLC from 2008 to 2017.

Mr. Giordano has extensive experience in Arizona state and federal courts. He was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in October 1998. He was also admitted to the bar of the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits and the U.S. District Courts for the District of Arizona and the Western District of Texas.

Mr. Giordano is active at Casas Church in northwest Tucson, where he is a campus host and Bible study teacher. He is the proud father of a US Marine, and lives in Tucson with his wife Lisa, and their three younger children.

License

Bar Number: 019097
Arizona, 1998

Lancer Law
Robert Pearson

A graduate of Booth-Fickett Magnet School, Salpointe Catholic High School, and the University of Arizona (undergrad and law school), Robert is a Tucson native and attorney. In 2022, having been trained by top firms and lawyers in the region, Robert opened his own firm, with a unique vision for a modern firm, incorporating technology, to provide accessible, quality legal-services to businesses and individuals. Robert has a passion for the law—especially for legal writing. He believes writing matters to effective advocacy; and he enjoys putting that passion to work to advocate for his clients.

Education

J.D., University of Arizona College of Law
Arizona Journal of International & Comparative Law, Writer
Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy, Managing Editor
American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence, Recipient
Highest grade in class: Bankruptcy and Related Issues
B.A., cum laude, University of Arizona (political-science major, pre-law minor)

Litigation Matters

With jury-trial and arbitration experience, Robert has litigated cases—big and small—in federal and state court across a range of practice areas. Here are several examples of Robert’s litigation experience:

Obtaining dismissal at the motion to dismiss stage for real estate developer client facing multi-count lawsuit in federal court arising from a Costa Rican hotel-development project;

Defending major university in high-profile litigation gaining national media coverage involving students and claims for negligent employment and Title IX violations;

Defending government entities and employees in high-profile personal injury cases gaining local media coverage involving claims of various governmental negligence;

Defending receivership application sought against local multimillion-dollar company;

Defending commercial tenant in case involving novel leasing issues raised by emergence of COVID-19

In addition to Robert’s litigation practice (trial and appellate), Robert advises companies and individuals on compliance issues and pre-lawsuit disputes—helping clients manage risk and efficiently resolve disputes when they arise, guiding clients through relevant legal and regulatory issues, strategy, and public-relations sensitivities.

Publications

Residential Security Deposits: Does A.R.S. § 33-1321 Require Itemizations? The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (November 2017)
Fee-shifting Basics Part Two: Interplay Between A.R.S. § 12-341.01(A) and Contractual Fees Provisions, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (July 2017)
Fee-shifting Basics: Understanding A.R.S. § 12-341.01, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Jan. 2017) (co-author)
Judge Bostwick Takes Her Seat, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Sept. 2016)
Writing Matters – Brief Tips, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Mar. 2016) (offering tips to improve court briefs)
Writing Matters, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Oct. 2015) (suggesting that lawyers should pay closer attention to their writing)

Admissions

State Bar of Arizona
Arizona Superior Court
Arizona Court of Appeals
Arizona Supreme Court
United States District Court, District of Arizona (federal court)
Past Professional & Community
Pima County Bar Association (PCBA), Board of Directors
AVIVA Children’s Services, Board of Directors
The Writ, PCBA, Editorial Board
American Heart Association, Heart Ball, Executive Leadership Committee
Prior Law-Related Employment
(before and after law school)
United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division, Washington DC
Snell & Wilmer, Tucson, AZ
Fennemore Craig, Tucson & Phoenix, AZ
Harlow Spanier & Heckele, Tucson, AZ
Rusing Lopez & Lizardi, Tucson, AZ
Burris & MacOmber, Tucson, AZ
Full CV available upon request

License

Bar Number: 032404
Arizona, 2015

Lancer Law
Robert Pearson

A graduate of Booth-Fickett Magnet School, Salpointe Catholic High School, and the University of Arizona (undergrad and law school), Robert is a Tucson native and attorney. In 2022, having been trained by top firms and lawyers in the region, Robert opened his own firm, with a unique vision for a modern firm, incorporating technology, to provide accessible, quality legal-services to businesses and individuals. Robert has a passion for the law—especially for legal writing. He believes writing matters to effective advocacy; and he enjoys putting that passion to work to advocate for his clients.

Education

J.D., University of Arizona College of Law
Arizona Journal of International & Comparative Law, Writer
Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy, Managing Editor
American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence, Recipient
Highest grade in class: Bankruptcy and Related Issues
B.A., cum laude, University of Arizona (political-science major, pre-law minor)

Litigation Matters

With jury-trial and arbitration experience, Robert has litigated cases—big and small—in federal and state court across a range of practice areas. Here are several examples of Robert’s litigation experience:

Obtaining dismissal at the motion to dismiss stage for real estate developer client facing multi-count lawsuit in federal court arising from a Costa Rican hotel-development project;

Defending major university in high-profile litigation gaining national media coverage involving students and claims for negligent employment and Title IX violations;

Defending government entities and employees in high-profile personal injury cases gaining local media coverage involving claims of various governmental negligence;

Defending receivership application sought against local multimillion-dollar company;

Defending commercial tenant in case involving novel leasing issues raised by emergence of COVID-19

In addition to Robert’s litigation practice (trial and appellate), Robert advises companies and individuals on compliance issues and pre-lawsuit disputes—helping clients manage risk and efficiently resolve disputes when they arise, guiding clients through relevant legal and regulatory issues, strategy, and public-relations sensitivities.

Publications

Residential Security Deposits: Does A.R.S. § 33-1321 Require Itemizations? The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (November 2017)
Fee-shifting Basics Part Two: Interplay Between A.R.S. § 12-341.01(A) and Contractual Fees Provisions, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (July 2017)
Fee-shifting Basics: Understanding A.R.S. § 12-341.01, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Jan. 2017) (co-author)
Judge Bostwick Takes Her Seat, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Sept. 2016)
Writing Matters – Brief Tips, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Mar. 2016) (offering tips to improve court briefs)
Writing Matters, The Writ (Pima Cnty. Bar Ass’n.) (Oct. 2015) (suggesting that lawyers should pay closer attention to their writing)

Admissions

State Bar of Arizona
Arizona Superior Court
Arizona Court of Appeals
Arizona Supreme Court
United States District Court, District of Arizona (federal court)
Past Professional & Community
Pima County Bar Association (PCBA), Board of Directors
AVIVA Children’s Services, Board of Directors
The Writ, PCBA, Editorial Board
American Heart Association, Heart Ball, Executive Leadership Committee
Prior Law-Related Employment
(before and after law school)
United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division, Washington DC
Snell & Wilmer, Tucson, AZ
Fennemore Craig, Tucson & Phoenix, AZ
Harlow Spanier & Heckele, Tucson, AZ
Rusing Lopez & Lizardi, Tucson, AZ
Burris & MacOmber, Tucson, AZ
Full CV available upon request

License

Bar Number: 032404
Arizona, 2015

This lawyer is licensed to practice in Arizona and has no record of discipline from the Arizona bar association. *

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.

Contact Us

This lawyer is licensed to practice in Arizona and has no record of discipline from the Arizona bar association. *

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.