Amanda Z. Weaver, Ph.D., Associate at our Phoenix law office
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Amanda Z. Weaver, Ph.D.

Associate
Biography

Since joining the firm after clerking for the Honorable Robert M. Brutinel at the Arizona Supreme Court, Amanda has focused her practice in commercial litigation. She assists clients in complex appeals and other appellate litigation. In her appellate practice, Amanda has been involved in appeals before the Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals, the Arizona Court of Appeals, and the Arizona Supreme Court.

In Amanda’s litigation practice, she assists clients in resolving commercial and contractual disputes, including constitutional claims and issues of statutory interpretation. Amanda has experience in litigating issues surrounding the First Amendment, defamation, and anti-SLAPP statutes, and enjoys drawing from her academic and doctoral background relating to free speech issues.

As a third-generation horsewoman, Amanda also enjoys assisting clients with a variety of matters related to the equine, gaming and gambling, agricultural industries, and lending her experience in addressing issues specific to such concerns. In her professional and personal pursuits, she is passionate about her background with horses who have been retired from racing (e.g., off-track Thoroughbreds), particularly in helping prepare them for post-racing activities.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona


Education

  • Arizona State University (Ph.D., Applied Linguistics)
    • Research focus: Linguistic considerations of the free speech provisions in the U.S. and Russian Constitutions
    • Outstanding Graduate, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    • Graduate Excellence Award
  • University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law (J.D., summa cum laude)
    • Order of the Coif
    • Articles Editor, Arizona Law Review
    • Arizona Centennial Public Interest Fellow
    • CALI Awards Indian Gaming Law, Legal Research, Constitutional Law I, Torts
    • ALI CLE Scholarship and Leadership Award
    • E. Thomas Sullivan Antitrust Award
    • Outstanding Performance in Oral Advocacy
    • Faculty Appointments Committee
  • University of Arizona (M.A., Russian and Slavic Studies)
    • On-site language study, Russian Federation
  • Arizona State University, Barrett Honors College (B.A., English; B.A., Russian, summa cum laude)
    • Certificate in Russian and Eastern European Studies
    • National Merit Scholarship Recipient
    • Moeur Award Recipient

Languages

Russian

Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars Edition, Appellate (2024)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation (2022-2025)
  • Pro Bono Award, Snell & Wilmer (2021, 2024)

Previous Professional Experience

  • Arizona Supreme Court, Judicial Clerk to Hon. Robert M. Brutinel (2017-2018)
  • Civil Rights Restoration Clinic, Rule 38(d) Clinic Student (2017)
  • Snell & Wilmer, Summer Associate (2016)
  • Institute for Justice, Summer Clerk (2015), Extern (2016-2017)
  • Goldwater Institute, Ronald Reagan Fellow (2014)
  • Arizona State University, Russian Language Instructor & Faculty Associate (2012-2015)
  • Maricopa County Community College District, English Composition Adjunct Faculty (2012-2014)
  • Horses Help, Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instructor (2008-2011)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • State Bar of Arizona
    • Appellate Practice Section
      • Executive Council, Member-at-Large (2024-Present)
  • American Bar Association
    • Business Law Today
      • Contributing Editor, Gaming Law
    • Communications
    • TIPS Equine Subcommittee

Community Involvement

  • Advisory Board Member, ASU Melikian Center: Russian, Eurasian & East European Studies (2024-present)
  • Xavier College Preparatory Alumnae Board (2021-present)
  • Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International
  • Racehorse 2 Riding Horse Volunteer

Representative Presentations and Publications

Equine Law

Appellate and Constitutional Law

First Amendment / Free Speech

Gaming and Tribal Law