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.

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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

Best Lawyers - 2024

Honors & Awards


Selected, Best Lawyers in America, 2023, 2024
Selected, Southwest Super Lawyers, 2019-2023
Selected, Arizona's Finest Lawyers, 2013-2023
Selected, American Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Lawyers, 2014-2023
Selected, Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyers, Government & Administrative Law, 2022, 2023
Selected, Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyers, Cannabis Law, 2022, 2023
Selected, Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyers, Tribal Law, 2022, 2023

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
 

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