Jake Curtis
Jake Curtis
Shareholder — Joined Burch & Cracchiolo in 2000
Jake leads Burch & Cracchiolo’s liquor licensing and compliance department. In that role, Jake handles all manner of issues concerning compliance with Arizona’s liquor laws, including obtaining licenses for retailers, distributors and producers; auditing liquor practices for compliance with local, state, and federal requirements; responding to allegations of non-compliance, defending liquor violation complaints before the Arizona Department of Liquor Licensing and Compliance (DLLC), including appeals to the Superior Court and Court of Appeals; and the sale of quota licenses.
Assistant
Biography
In addition to leading Burch & Cracchiolo’s liquor licensing and compliance department, Jake handles summary suspensions, notice of violations of AZ Department of Health Services (AZDHS) COVID-19 guidelines, attestations of violations, and compliance for notice of closure for bars and restaurants. He is knowledgeable about recent changes to the law involving online delivery, craft brewing and local wineries. Jake represents a wide range of clients from national grocery stores, hotel and restaurant chains to mom-and-pop bars, restaurants and liquor stores. Jake’s experience with the administrative processes in Arizona has allowed him to also advise clients regarding medical marijuana and gaming issues.
Jake continues to represent clients in complex civil litigation, specifically commercial/contract disputes, serious personal injury/wrongful death matters, and FDCPA, TPCA, and FCRA cases, including class actions. He has been licensed to practice in the Navajo tribal courts for 19 years and regularly advises businesses about the unique requirements of doing business on the Navajo Nation and navigating the tribal court system.
Representative Engagements
- Currently represents publicly-traded retailers and restaurant chains in liquor licensing matters.
- Represents local bar/night club in liquor license revocation action before Liquor Board and on appeal to the Maricopa County Superior Court.
- Obtained liquor licenses for high-end senior living community and franchisee of national hotel chain.
- Handled sale of liquor and medical marijuana dispensary licenses
- Nationwide representation of collection agency in Fair Debt Collection Practice Act (FDCPA) Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) matters
Other Relevant Employment
Judicial Clerk, Justice Stanley Feldman, Arizona Supreme Court, 1999-2000
Honors & Awards
Selected, Best Lawyers in America, 2023-2025
Selected, Southwest Super Lawyers, 2019-2024
Selected, Arizona's Finest Lawyers, 2013-2024
Selected, American Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Lawyers, 2014-2024
Selected, Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyers, Government & Administrative Law, 2022-2024
Selected, Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyers, Cannabis Law, 2022-2024
Selected, Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyers, Tribal Law, 2022-2024
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Arizona
Navajo Nation Bar Association
Education
J.D., with distinction, University of Iowa, 1999
A.B., English Literature, University of California, Berkeley, 1994
Admitted In
Arizona
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States District Court for the District of Arizona
Navajo Nation
Articles
Testimonials
Chase Comstock:
Jake Curtis was very quick, knowledgeable, and straight-forward with his answers to my questions regarding liquor licensing. He was polite and fun to talk to, but wasted no time in getting me the answers I needed. Out of 3 law offices I had reached out to today, he was only one who returned my call with a sense of urgency. I highly recommend anyone with questions regarding liquor licensing talk to him.
Presentations and Publications
Contractor or employee: The perils of misclassification by Jake Curtis
Reported Cases
Medasys Acquisition Corp. v. SDMS, P.C., 203 Ariz. 420, 55 P.3d 763 (2002).
Community Involvement
Former Member, Board of Directors, Phoenix Indian Center
Member, TGen Ambassadors, 2021-2023
In the News
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