David M. Villadolid
Shareholder— Joined Burch & Cracchiolo in 1987
602-234-9943 602-343-7943
David Villadolid is the senior partner in the firm’s Employment Law section and is recognized as an AV® Preeminent™* 5.0 out of 5 peer review rated attorney in Martindale-Hubbell. With more than 39 years of legal practice, David successfully advises companies, executives, and management on a broad spectrum of business and employment issues including compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Clients express confidence in David’s ability to provide legal mapping strategies that proactively help businesses achieve goals, preserve relationships and prevent or resolve problems before they start.
Assistant
Biography
David Villadolid is the senior partner in the firm’s Employment Law section and is recognized as an AV ® Preeminent ™ 5.0 out of 5 peer review rated attorney in Martindale-Hubbell. With more than 40 years of legal practice, David successfully advises companies, executives, and management on a broad spectrum of business and employment issues including compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. David is currently recognized as a Best Lawyer in America and a Southwest Super Lawyer.
In practice since 1983, David represents the owners and managers of privately owned businesses from Internet-based entrepreneurial startups to third generation family dealerships. His results-driven approach includes extensive experience in the drafting and negotiation of contracts, the formation of minority owned businesses, the sale, merger and acquisition of companies, and succession planning for owners and managers.
David graduated from Dartmouth College cum laude, in 1977 with an A.B. in liberal arts and received his J.D. from Georgetown University Center in 1982.
David currently chairs the Primerus Quality Assurance Board and previously served as Chair of the Labor & Employment Section. He recently co-drafted with Marc Dedman the QAB’s new Charter. David is a featured lecturer on employment law issues and provides private training sessions, public presentations and Continuing Legal Education courses to associations, including the Maricopa County Bar Association (MCBA). In addition, David is a founding director of the Labor & Employment Law Section of the Maricopa County Bar Association, as well as its former chair.
Representative Engagements
- Negotiated and drafted terms of executive employment agreements in connection with $27 million dollar sale of a multi-state business to a publicly traded company.
- Ended stalemate between business owners and negotiated terms of a severance package for the dissenting owner.
- Represented 50% owner of international business in successfully defending takeover attempts and then negotiated purchase of 100% ownership.
- Successful defense and resolution of numerous EEOC charges and wrongful termination lawsuits alleging discrimination on the basis of age, sex, gender, national origin, disability including violations of Title VII, ADEA, ADA, FMLA and other laws and regulations.
- Extensive experience in negotiating and drafting contracts, including executive employment and independent contractor agreements, severance agreements, restrictive covenants and other agreements.
- Advising and training management and human resources departments with regard to employee policies, discipline, termination and reductions in force
Professional Leadership
Board of Directors, International Society of Primerus Law Firms, Ltd. 2011-2013, 2022
Chair, Quality Assurance Board, International Society of Primerus Law Firms, Ltd. 2011-2019, 2022
Member, Quality Assurance Board subcommittee, International Society of Primerus Law Firms, 2022
Chair, Labor & Employment Practice Group, International Society of Primerus Law Firms, Ltd. 2010-2011
Chair, Employment Law Section, Maricopa County Bar Association 2000 to 2008
Director, Employment Law Section, Maricopa County Bar Association 2000 to 2018
Honors & Awards
Selected, Southwest Super Lawyers, 2012-2024
Selected, Best Lawyers in America, 2017-2024
Selected, Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyers, Labor & Employment, 2022, 2023
Ranked AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5* by Martindale-Hubbell
President’s Club Award, Brophy College Preparatory, 2009
*AV® Preeminent ™ and BV® Distinguished™ are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Arizona
Connecticut Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Education
JD, Georgetown University Law Center, 1982
AB, Dartmouth College, 1977 cum laude
Admitted In
Arizona
New York
Connecticut (inactive)
Florida (retired)
New Jersey (retired)
Articles
Testimonials
Rachel T:
I would recommend this law firm and especially David Villadolid to anyone. He and Kim, his assistant, were absolutely a pleasure to work with. They handled my situation quickly and provided me with so much stress relief. I now have a lifelong loyalty to them and am so grateful to have worked with them. Thank you so much David and Kim. I can't thank you enough for being so amazing, professional and available to answer all my questions.
Community Involvement
Resource Member to the Board of Regents, Brophy College Preparatory, 1996-present
Member, Collections Committee, ASU Contemporary Museum, 2011-2018
General Counsel, Desert View Learning Center, 2003-2020
Director, Desert View Learning Center, 1998-2003
In the News
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