Ben Reeves focuses on delivering practical advice to clients facing complex commercial disputes in distressed situations. Since joining the firm in 2007, he has gained substantial experience litigating: (i) interests in real property; (ii) creditor rights and remedies in state, federal, and bankruptcy courts; (iii) the rights, powers, and duties of receivers; and (iv) disputes amongst and between business partners. In particular, Ben has extensive experience with commercial landlord-tenant relationships, foreclosure and trustee’s sales, guarantor and deficiency actions, the enforcement of pre- and post-judgment remedies, complex commercial bankruptcies, and receivership actions involving secured property and/or equity interests. Ben also has relevant experience representing beneficiaries and personal representatives in probate court. Ben prides himself on his ability to provide timely and sound counsel to clients navigating through complex problems.
Represented numerous lenders in various actions for breach of note, breach of guaranty, and appointment of receiver over collateral
Represented numerous creditors in stay relief, plan confirmation, and claw-back litigation in bankruptcy court
Represented court-appointed receiver in efforts to sell a commercial building over the objection of the borrower
Represented court-appointed receiver in efforts to sell franchise restaurants as a going concern
Defended receiver from claims of prior owner in wind-down of cigar retail business
Defended company in action by minority members for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty and appointment of a receiver over the company
Represented minority member in action for breach of fiduciary duty, judicial dissolution, and appointment of a receiver over the company
Represented landlord over a dairy farm in connection with bankrupt tenant’s objection to landlord’s proof of claim for unpaid rent
Represented multi-million dollar judgment creditor in post-judgment proceedings against guarantor who owned a complex web of interests in various closely-held companies
Represented commercial landlord in dispute with tenant regarding exclusive use restrictions in tenant’s lease
Represented high-end homeowner’s association in arbitration with developer over the amount and calculation of unpaid assessments
Defended commercial property owner in action by neighboring business to privately condemn a portion of the client’s property
Defended corporate officer in action by commercial landlord to hold officer personally liable for company’s breach of lease
Represented beneficiaries in probate court in defense of claims that beneficiaries owed money to the estate
Represented personal representative in probate court seeking to freeze assets of caregiver suspected of taking assets of the decedent, and assisted in resulting litigation
Represented personal representative in probate court in A.R.S. § 14-3709 petition to determine potential liability of third-party who received funds from decedent’s bank accounts
"Our Bar, Where Everyone Knows Your Name and Our Troubles are all the Same," Co-Presenter, Arizona State Bar Convention, CLE Presentation, Chandler, AZ (June 16, 2016)
"Understanding the Potential Benefits and Pitfalls of the Uniform Commercial Real Estate Receivership Act," Presenter, Live Webinar (June 1, 2016)
"Uniform Commercial Real Estate Receivership Act (UCRERA) Update," Co-Presenter, California Receiver’s Forum, Orange County, CA (January 20, 2016)
"When do Title Cos. Owe a Duty of Care to Third Parties?," Author, Law360, New York (September 10, 2015)
“It Just Got a Little Bit Harder to Enforce Judgment Liens in Arizona,” Author, ABA Section of Litigation, Title Insurance Litigation Committee Newsletter (Spring 2015)
"Pursuing and Defending Bankruptcy Avoidance Actions," Co-Presenter, Maricopa County Bar Association, 1.5 Hour CLE Presentation, Phoenix, AZ (June 15, 2012)
"Real Estate Fundamentals: Session I – Bankruptcy Impacts on Real Estate Disputes," Co-Presenter, Maricopa County Bar Association, 1.5 Hour CLE Presentation, Phoenix, AZ (February 10, 2012)
"Common Bankruptcy Litigation Issues," Co-Presenter, Maricopa County Bar Association, CLE Presentation, Phoenix, AZ (June 29, 2010)
"Challenges in the Foreclosure/Trustee’s Sale Process," Co-Presenter, Maricopa County Bar Association, CLE Presentation, Phoenix, AZ (June 9, 2010)
"Foreclosure and Trustee Sale Issues (Commercial and Residential)," Co-Presenter, Maricopa County Bar Association, CLE Presentation (February 23, 2010)
"An Overview of Landlord Rights Against Tenants in Bankruptcy," Co-Author, ABA Commercial Business & Litigation Newsletter, 11 Com. & Bus. Litig. No. 1 (Fall 2009)
The Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2021-2023); Commercial Litigation (2021-2023); Bankruptcy Litigation, Real Estate Litigation (2023)
Southwest Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars Edition, Creditor Debtor Rights: Business (2014-2020)
Rising Star Man of the Year, American Cancer Society (2015)
American Cancer Society, Phoenix Advisory Board of Directors (2014-2017, 2020)
Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission, Appointed by Governor Jan Brewer (2012-2014)