Rick Erickson is a trial attorney concentrating his practice in commercial litigation, construction law and military law.
Representative Matters
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Construction Law
- Arbitrated professional negligence claims in defense of national design firm
- Negotiated construction agreements and general conditions for $40 million project
- Defended national homebuilder against negligent construction claims in wrongful death case
- Complex litigation and foreclosure of $4 million lien claim by prime contractor
- Represented Fortune 500 owner in case arising from subcontractor’s mistaken bid
- Litigated pass-through and indemnity claims for international construction manager
- Charter school’s counsel for licensing complaint and hearing against general contractor
- Defended architect of record against claims arising from construction site administration
- Updated construction management at risk and subcontract agreements for prime contractor
- Special action, injunctive relief and trial of $20 million bid protest for general contractor
- Settled $2.7 million fire loss claim and subrogation agreement for custom homebuilder
- Mediated resolution of $3 million final payment claim for builder of luxury condominiums
- Recovered general contractor’s $1 million performance bond claim against the surety
- Negotiated bond takeover agreement for prime contractor on large public project
- Represented structural engineer and his national design firm in roof collapse case
- Pursued resort owner-developer’s claims in dispute over prompt payment and overbilling
- Recovered $1 million in change order damages for contractor claiming unforeseen site work
- Assisted prime contractor with equitable adjustment claim on large public project
- Represented heavy equipment contractor in lease dispute with its landlord
- Prevailed for subcontractor in wrongful termination case against the general contractor
General Civil Litigation
- Trial team for Fortune 500 homebuilder awarded $111 million against former executive
- Defended major insurer against bad faith claims arising from denial of business coverage
- Argued jurisdictional dispute for corporate client before the Arizona Court of Appeals
- Jury trial for corporate client pursuing non-compete claims against former software engineer
- Litigated contract claims of realtor association against its software development contractor
- Defense verdict for joint venture partner accused of fraud and breaching fiduciary duties
- Pursued collection of corporate client’s six-figure judgment against foreign and U.S. assets
- Defended national tire company against personal injury and wrongful death claims
- Directed hearing for provisional remedies against controller who embezzled corporate funds
- Handled administrative hearing for office supply company contesting award of state contract
- Negotiated resolution of code of conduct violation for Division 1 scholarship athlete
- Litigated property title dispute for sixty-year-old Episcopal parish against its Diocese
- Administrative appeal of student-athlete contesting ineligibility from his high school transfer
- Temporary restraining order against homeowners’ association enforcement of CC&Rs
Military Law
- Drafted and negotiated use agreements for military base facilities and training areas
- Assisted large defense contractor with evaluation of government contract provisions
- Advised Fortune 500 employer concerning rights under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
- Chief advisor on detainee collection points and holding facilities in Anbar Province, Iraq
- Primary rules of engagement training officer for Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-07
- Authored rules for the use of deadly force during post 9/11 military operations in the U.S.
- Advised combatant command on ethics regulations during defense contractor conference
- Drafted point papers for Joint Staff on civil-military relations and domestic operational law
- Issued legal opinions on policy provisions affecting criminal tribunals of terrorist detainees
- Presided as Investigating Officer in capital case referred to General Court Martial
- Defense counsel for senior military officer accused of compromising classified information
Education
- University of the Pacific (J.D., Certificate in Governmental Affairs, 1998)
- University of Arizona (B.S., Politics, 1990)
- National Defense University (National Security Studies, 2010)
- U.S. Naval War College (National Security Decision Making, 2008)
- U.S. Marine Corps Command & Staff College (Class of 2005)
- U.S. Naval Justice School (Military & Operational Law, 2002)
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of Arizona
- United States District Court, District of Arizona
- United States Navy, Courts Martial
- Court of Military Appeals for The Armed Forces
- Arizona Court of Military Appeals
Professional Memberships & Activities
- Arizona Court of Military Appeals
- Appellate Military Judge (appointed by Governor of Arizona 2011-2017)
- State Bar of Arizona
- Executive Council, Construction Law Section (2006-present)
- Maricopa County Bar Association
- Construction Law Section (2004-present)
- Associated General Contractors of America
- Arizona Chapter Affiliate Affairs Committee (2008-present)
- Arizona Builders’ Alliance (2004-present)
- Arizona Association of Defense Counsel (1998-present)
Representative Presentations & Publications
- Construction and Social Media - Do You Have a Plan?, Presenter, Associated General Contractors of America, Honolulu, HI (2012)
- Construction Site Data Disclaimers: Who Really Carries the Risk?, Presenter, Lorman Education Services Webinar (2011)
- E-Discovery Rules in Construction Litigation, Presenter, Associated General Contractors of America, Las Vegas, NV (2011)
- Legal Strategies for Construction Project Records Retention, Panel Moderator, Strafford Publications Webinar (2011)
- Maximizing Your Investment in Experts for Construction Litigation, Presenter, Computer Guidance Corporation Conference, Phoenix, AZ (2010)
- Military Operational Law and Counterinsurgency, Presenter, Arizona State University College of Law (2010)
- Understanding Arbitration Agreements in AIA and ConsensusDOCS Contracts, Presenter, Associated General Contractors of America, Orlando, FL (2010)
- Terminating a Construction Contract: Legal Issues and Considerations, Presenter, Lorman Education Services Webinar (2009)
- The Service Members Civil Relief Act: What Judges Should Know, Presenter, Arizona Judicial Conference, Scottsdale, AZ (2009)
- Beating the Odds: Mastering The Law of War During The Surge in Anbar Province, Author, U.S. Naval War College (2009)
- Managing Electronic Discovery in Construction Litigation, Presenter, Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego, CA (2009)
- What Are Your Options? Alternative Dispute Resolution During Construction, Presenter, State Bar Construction Seminar, Phoenix, AZ (2008)
Community Involvement
- Congressional Advisory Committee for Nomination to U.S. Military Academies
- U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (1998-present)
- U.S. Congressman Ben Quayle (2011-present)
- U.S. Congressman Trent Franks (2003-present)
- U.S. Congressman John Shadegg (1996-2010)
- Christ Lutheran School Board of Directors, Phoenix, Arizona (2010-present)
- Arizona Veterans Court Exploratory Committee (2009-2010)
- 97th Arizona Town Hall, Participant (2010)
Military Service
- Lieutenant Colonel, United States Marine Corps Reserve
- Staff Judge Advocate to the Base Commander, Yuma, Arizona (2010-present)
- Operational Law of War Advisor, The Pentagon (2008)
- Staff Judge Advocate, Detainee Operations Task Force, Iraq (2006-2007)
- Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, NORAD-U.S. Northern Command (2003)
- Company Executive Officer, 6th Engineer Support Battalion (2000)
- Infantry Platoon Commander, Mogadishu, Somalia (1994)
