Jill Casson Owen, Partner at our Tucson law office
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Jill Casson Owen

Partner
Biography

Jill Casson Owen’s enthusiasm for law has led to her development of a diverse real estate and business transactional practice where she provides advice to public and private entity as well as individual clients on a variety of federal, state, and local regulatory compliance matters.

Jill’s real estate knowledge, keen understanding, and care for her clients has contributed to building a practice that  includes engagements focused on the purchase and sale of real property, both commercial and residential, lease transactions for both lessors and lessees in commercial, retail and industrial properties, and transactions relating to the development of real property, condominium conversions, plat approvals, subdivision public report applications, drafting CCRs and other related documents; fraternity and sorority student housing and REITs.

Jill has excelled as both outside general counsel and in-house counsel to multiple airports. Through active engagement with her clients, she has created, developed, and administered appropriate policies and procedures; assured compliance with all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations as well as airport procedures in the operation and management of daily activities; and represented airports in local, state, regional and national meetings and conferences regarding aviation issues. Jill has worked on airline use agreements, rental car, food and beverage, parking and other concession agreements, fueling-related agreements and real-estate related instruments including option agreements, easement agreements, development agreements, leases, subleases, lease assignments, licenses, and property management contracts. Her experience includes planning, management, supervision and coordination of the overall affairs and operations of a variety of contracting-related services, including purchasing, procurement, contracts, warehousing, records management, office services and ground transportation. In every client engagement, Jill focuses her efforts on ensuring the best outcome for her clients.

Jill also seeks balance in her life and when not enmeshed in her practice, you can find her hiking in the foothills of Tucson, biking around the city, taking in a show, travelling, and spending time with family.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona
  • Kansas (inactive)


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona


Education

  • University of Arizona College of Law (J.D., summa cum laude)
    • Order of the Coif
    • Note Editor, Arizona Law Review
  • University of Arizona, College of Pharmacy (B.S., Pharmacy)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Land Use and Zoning Law (2023-2025), Real Estate Law (2023-2025)
  • Inside Tucson Business Women of Influence Finalist (2020)
  • Snell & Wilmer Community Involvement Award (2019)
  • Snell & Wilmer Pro Bono Award (2014)

Representative Experience

Acquisition and Development: Represent developers of student housing, shopping centers, and residential, condominium and mixed-use commercial properties

Disposition: Represent sellers in a variety of real estate transactions, including commercial, condominium development and residential properties

Leasing: Represent clients in complex leasing transactions, including those involving franchise operations. Represent national retail tenants. Represent fraternities and sororities in connection with on-campus and off-campus housing facilities

Condominiums: Represent developers in acquiring, developing and operating residential and mixed-use condominiums, including advising on various aspects of the Arizona Condominium Act

REITs: Represent REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) in acquisition and development transactions

Previous Professional Experience

  • Casson Owen Law PLLC, Principal
  • Tucson Airport Authority, Vice President Legal and Contracting Services/Associate General Counsel
  • Walgreens, Pharmacist

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • National Aircraft Finance Association (2023-Present)
  • National Business Aviation Association (2023-Present)
  • Commercial Real Estate Women (2022-Present)
    • A Seat at the Table Committee (2023)
    • Programs Committee (2022-Present)
      • Programs Chair (2024)
  • Airports Council International – North America
    • Legal Affairs Committee (2001-2008, 2018-Present)
  • National Association of Women Business Owners (2020-2023)
  • International Council of Shopping Centers (2015-2022)
  • State Bar of Arizona
    • Fee Arbitration Committee (2012-2018)
    • Real Property Section, Executive Council (2001-2004)

Community Involvement

  • Beacon Group
    • Chair (2023-2024)
    • Board of Directors (2023)
  • Northwest YMCA, Board of Managers, Chair (2012-2017)
  • Chi Omega Fraternity, Zeta Beta Chapter
    • President (2014-2020)
    • Board of Directors (1992-present)
  • Tucson Adult Soccer League, Board of Directors (2012-2014)
  • American Youth Soccer Organization (2005-2014)
    • Coach
    • Board of Directors
    • Referee

Representative Presentations and Publications