People•Richard G. Erickson
Richard G. Erickson
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Richard G. Erickson

Partner
People•Richard G. Erickson

Rick Erickson practices in the areas of construction law, commercial litigation and military law. He maintains the highest client and peer rating (5.0) as an AV® Preeminent™ attorney on Lexis‐Nexis® Martindale‐Hubbell® (2012-2022). He served for eight years on the Executive Council of his State Bar practice section and was Chair-Elect from 2013-2014. Rick was inducted as an American Bar Foundation Fellow in 2016 and is continually recognized in Best Lawyers in America® Construction Law (2015-2022). Rick is further distinguished for his exceptional presentations and seminars to national and international audiences such as London Build, National Business Institute and Associated General Contractors of America. 

Rick also retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps after thirty years of active and reserve military service. He received twenty personal and unit commendations, including the Legion of Merit. He deployed multiple times as both an Infantry Officer and Judge Advocate, has been published on topics of cyberwarfare, counterinsurgency and national security law, and he continues to write and speak on military topics. Rick is actively involved in the community, contributing as a leader, board member and volunteer for several local and national service and veteran organizations, including U.S.VETS, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Arizona Corporate Council on Veteran Careers.

Rick Erickson is a leading partner in the firm’s construction practice group, which is rated National Tier 1 by U.S. News-Best Lawyers® (2022). Rick represents owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals in state and federal courts, mediation, arbitration and administrative tribunals. Rick relies on his dispute resolution experience to also help our clients in negotiating and drafting construction agreements, general conditions and corresponding project documents. He served on the Arizona State Bar Construction Section Executive Council from 2007-2015 and was Chair-Elect from 2013-2014. Rick speaks and writes frequently on construction law topics nationwide, was recognized by JD Supra® in 2018 for one of its most read blogs and has been featured in other social media posts on construction law.

Rick Erickson has broad and significant background in commercial litigation, including his trial experience in defense of our corporate clients in a number of areas including personal injury and wrongful death, professional negligence, insurance bad faith and breach of contract.

As a senior military officer and certified Judge Advocate, Rick Erickson retired after thirty years of active and reserve military service in the U.S. Marine Corps. He deployed early in his military career as an Infantry Officer and later deployed and served in legal positions on high commands and joint staffs.  He held a Top Secret SCI security clearance until he retired in 2021. In 2017, Rick concluded his judicial appointment on the Arizona Court of Military Appeals, where he presided in National Guard appeals subject to review by the Arizona Supreme Court. Rick relies on his experience in military law and operations to advise the firm's clients in a number of complex areas including national security and international law, reservist reemployment rights, discovery of military records and protection of classified information.

  • University of the Pacific (J.D., Certificate in Governmental Affairs, 1998)
  • University of Arizona (B.S., Political Science, 1990)
  • U.S. Joint Forces Staff College, Joint & Combined Warfighting School (2016)
  • U.S. Naval War College (Strategy and War, 2012; National Security Decision Making, 2008)
  • U.S. Marine Corps Command & Staff College (2005)
  • U.S. Naval Justice School (Military & Operational Law, 2002)

  • International Bar Association
    • Delegate, 23rd Annual Arbitration Day, Istanbul, Turkey (2020)
  • Arizona Court of Military Appeals
    • Military Judge (appointed by Governor of Arizona 2011-2017)
  • American Bar Foundation
    • Fellow (2016-present)
  • State Bar of Arizona
    • Executive Council, Construction Law Section (2006-present); Chair-Elect (2013-2014)
  • 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)
  • Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Construction Law (2015-2023)
  • LTG Paul G. Cerjan Distinguished Writing Award, U.S. Joint Forces Staff College ("Cyberwarfare – Making the Case for Deadly Force," 2016)

  • Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Veterans Affairs Task Force (2020)
  • Arizona Advisory Committee, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (2019-present)
  • Congressional Advisory Committee for Nomination to U.S. Military Academies
    • U.S. Senator Jeff Flake (2013-2018)
    • U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (1998-2012)
    • U.S. Congressman Trent Franks (2003-2017)
    • U.S. Congressman John Shadegg (1996-2010)
  • Arizona Corporate Council on Veteran Careers (2016-present)
  • U.S. VETS, Advisory Council (2014-present)
  • Christ Lutheran School Board of Directors, Phoenix, Arizona (2010-2016)
  • 97th Arizona Town Hall, Participant (2010)

  • Colonel, United States Marine Corps Reserve (Retired)
    • Marine Corps Liaison Chief, MARFORNORTH, FEMA Region IX (2017-2021)
    • G-3 Operations Staff, I Marine Expeditionary Force (2017)
    • Command Staff Judge Advocate, Force Headquarters Group (2013-2017)
    • Staff Judge Advocate, Marine Corps Installations-West (2010-2012)
    • 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)
    • Weapons Platoon Commander, Mogadishu, Somalia (1994)
    • Rifle Platoon Commander, 1st Marine Division (1992-1993)

  • Arizona

  • Arizona Court of Military Appeals
  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona
  • United States Navy, Courts Martial