Liaison and Legal Assistant Staff

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Jim West, Government Affairs

Sierra Cortez, Legal Assistant

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Norman Martin, Consultant

Jim West
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 Jim West is a real estate and government affairs consultant. He handles various zoning and real estate compliance issues. His background includes work in politics, government, news, and media production. His primary focus is on complex real estate and regulatory issues. He recently completed a successful multi-year project representing a consortium of six wireless telecommunications carriers in their efforts to locate a system of communication sites along a major transportation corridor through two national forests. Jim has worked as Director of Communications and Press Secretary for former Arizona Governor, Bruce Babbitt. He also ran the media effort of several regional and statewide political campaigns. His news media background includes time as an award winning news director and documentary producer for a Phoenix television station. Jim uses his television news and documentary production background to produce pictures and videos of real property and comparables to enhance just compensation claims.Jim has been in private practice for more than 20 years, blending his background of politics and media. He was twice honored at the Houston International Film Festival for producing and directing documentary films. Jim’s involvement in the Arizona community includes service on the Board of The Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, The Phoenix Arts Commission, Phoenix Private Industry Council, The State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, and The Maricopa County Bond Committee.Jim’s recent experience includes access issues with the Forest Service, private development access issues, variance applications to conform with local zoning requirements, and neighborhood zoning enforcement disputes that focus on grandfathered business activities.

Sierra Cortez
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Sierra (Even) Cortez has been the firm's legal assistant for four years. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree, as a double major, in both Social Science and Spanish cum laude from Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota. She played on the Valley City State University Women's Basketball team for all four years of college. Her team made it to Nationals two years in a row and her team made it to the conference championship all four years. She received her Juris Doctor in May 2018 from Arizona Summit Law School. She loves spending her free time with her family, playing basketball, and attending sporting events.

Norman Martin
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Norman Martin received his Masters in Public Administration summa cum laude from Kent State University with an emphasis in Public Finance. He gained his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University in Transportation. He has twelve years of experience as an elected public official. He has extensive experience in Internet research, including local and state governmental records. Finally, he prepares graphic and visual analyses that assist the firm in its litigation practice. Marty’s specialty is commercial building safety systems.