Russell E. Krone
“One of the things I like best about my job is building lasting relationships with interesting people who are involved in challenging businesses and ambitious projects. I am able to learn about what really matters to them, their appetite for risk, and how I can help them achieve their most important goals, structure their transactions, deal with day-to-day management issues, and, when necessary, litigate disputes that affect and, in some cases, threaten their company.”
After growing up in Tucson, Russell Krone attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston before completing his business degree at the University of Phoenix and earning his law degree at the University of Arizona. He launched his legal career at a Tucson law firm, where he rose to partner before leaving in 2004 to co-found Thompson Krone, PLC.
Russ enjoys trail running, other outdoor activities, photography, making music, and spending time with his family.
Before attending law school, Russ was an entrepreneurial radio and television engineer who designed, built and maintained UHF television stations, sound recording studios, and other related broadcasting installations. At the same time, Russ was involved in the development of electronic parts-testing systems and the production of laser optical measuring devices.
Russ’s “pre-lawyer” experiences helped him develop a valuable perspective for problem solving. His practice focuses on the transaction and litigation needs of businesses, professionals, and other individuals in the areas of business law, real property and land use law, medical law, and professional liability. He has acted as general counsel to public corporations and represents businesses from startups to established companies in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, medical services, real estate management and development, aviation, software development and licensing, entertainment, hospitality, bars and restaurants, and construction.
Russ helps his clients navigate the issues they face, attempting to avoid or resolve disputes before they lead to litigation. However, when litigation cannot be avoided, Russ’s trial experience, negotiation skill, and commitment to his clients’ interests help him provide cost-effective representation in pursuing positive results.
Awards and Honors
- Arizona’s Finest Lawyers, Sustaining Member 2016 – Present
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2019 – Present
- Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ of AV Preeminent
Areas of Practice
- Business and Commercial Law
- Real Estate Law
- Business and Real Estate Litigation
- Construction Law
- Medical Law
- Professional Liability
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
Jurisdictions
- Arizona (all courts)
- U.S. District Court, District of Arizona
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Professional Memberships
State Bar of Arizona: Business Law Section, Member (current), Executive Council Member (2016-2017)
State Bar of Arizona: Former Member, Committee on Recommended Jury Instructions (Civil)
Experience
BUSINESS AND REAL ESTATE LAW
Regularly represents businesses, professionals and individuals in:
- Business and Real Estate Transactions
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Real estate transactions
- Real estate development
- Lending transactions
- Memorandums of understanding and letters of intent
- Commercial property leasing
- Join ventures
- Strategic partnering
- Licensing
- Entity Governance and Administration
- Formation and governance of limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations and other business entities
- Corporate housekeeping
- Compensation models
- Confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements
- Entity dissolution and termination
- Employment agreements
- Buy-sell agreements and other exit strategies
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
Representative litigation matters include:
- Shareholder and partner disputes
- Breach of contract
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Fraud
- Commercial landlord-tenant disputes
- Construction contracts
- Construction defects
- Interference with business and other unfair business practices
- Disputes between real estate developers and governmental agencies
- Professional liability
MEDIATION/ADR
Acts as a mediator, arbitrator, settlement judge and umpire in disputes between parties in commercial, corporate, professional liability, insurance, real estate and construction matters.
Reported Cases
- Ader v. Estate of Felger et.al., 240 Ariz. 32, 375 P.3d 97 (App. 2016)
- Goodman v. Physical Resources Engineering, Inc., 229 Ariz. 25, 270 P.3d 852 (App. 2011)
- PLM Tax Certificate Program 1991-1992, L.P. v. Denton Investments, Inc., 195 Ariz. 210, 986 P.2d 243 (App. 1999)
- Goodhue v. Catalina Mortgage Company, 76 Fed.Appx 781, 2003 WL 22017524 (C.A. 9 (Ariz.) 2003)
- Goodman v. City of Tucson, 2007 WL 5613515 (App. 2007)
Presentations
Russ has authored and presented materials at numerous continuing legal education (CLE) seminars and has been a featured speaker for educational and industry groups. His publications and presentations include portions of the following CLE seminars:
- “Role of the Expert Witness,” Business Valuation Conference, Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants, 2017
- “Getting Out: Basic Exit Strategies for Small Start-Ups,” Business Law Section, State Bar of Arizona, 2013
- “Buying and Selling a Business: Mastering the Basics,” Sterling Education Services, Inc., 2004
- “The A to Z of Defending Registrar of Contractors Complaints,” Pima County Bar Association, 2006
Education
- J.D., magna cum laude, University of Arizona College of Law
- B.S., Business Administration, University of Phoenix
- Guitar and Audio Engineering Studies, Berklee College of Music, Boston
Community Service
- Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging: Board of Directors, 2016-present
- Community Options, Inc.: Former Member, Board of Directors
- Rebuilding Together: Former Member, Board of Directors
- Green Fields Country Day School: Former Member, Board of Trustees