This Working Group is a team of education professionals representing diverse expertise and knowledge in Arizona’s K-12 education system, which is comprised of school superintendents, human resources personnel, food service professionals, business managers, and other education stakeholders who are impacted daily by the statutes.

“As the Working Group reviews the K-12 education statutes, we will be doing so by asking, ‘How does this law help kids? Is it required? Or does it increase student achievement or improve accountability? ” said Mr. Calderón.

Ernest Calderón, an AV Preeminent rated attorney, has 33 years of experience and is President Emeritus of the Arizona Board of Regents and serves as a Partner in the Ridenour Hienton law firm. Mr. Calderón provides legal advice and counsel to education entities in all areas of education law.

•  Law Firms Business/Corporate Law – Ranked #8 out of all Phoenix law firms;
•  Law Firms Family Law – Ranked #10 out of all Phoenix law firms..

Congratulation to the Attorneys in those practice areas!

• Damien Meyer, Clean Elections Commission;
• Ernie Calderon, Board of Behavioral Health Examiners;
• Meaghan Kramer, Board of Behavioral Health Examiners Credentialing Committee;
• Jerry Worsham, Mining Advisory Council;
• April Hamilton, Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Robert Erven Brown and Robert J. Hackett

Effort will Reduce Trafficking, Identify and Assist Victims

Governor Jan Brewer today established via Executive Order the Governor’s Task Force on Human Trafficking. Among their charges, members will be tasked with identifying opportunities to strengthen Arizona’s current human trafficking statutes, with the ultimate goal of reducing human trafficking and assisting victims of this heinous crime.

The implementation of this task force combines two key priorities of Governor Brewer’s administration: border security and public safety.

“Human trafficking is one of the most horrendous crimes against humanity, and one of the most harmful effects of a porous border,” said Governor Brewer. “With this task force, we can at least ensure we are taking every necessary action to protect our state and its citizens. I look forward to working closely with members as they identify ways to reduce human trafficking and safeguard the victimized and vulnerable.”

Responsibilities of the task force will include: reviewing Arizona laws, administrative practices and law enforcement training pertaining to human trafficking; taking testimony from subject matter experts who have experience managing the impacts of human trafficking; identifying opportunities to strengthen Arizona human trafficking statutes; and recommending to the Governor any changes in law, administrative practice or law enforcement training that will reduce human trafficking in Arizona and improve ways to identify and assist the victims.

Governor Brewer has appointed the following members to the task force:

• Cindy McCain (Co-Chairperson), Philanthropist/Advocate/Business Owner
• Doug Ducey, State Treasurer
• Doug Coleman Representative, Arizona House of Representatives
• Adam Driggs Senator, Arizona State Senate
• Bill Montgomery, Maricopa County Attorney
• Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney
• Grant Woods, Attorney
• Larrie Fraley, Executive Director, Undivided
• Robert Halliday, Director, Department of Public Safety
• Gill Orrantia (Co-Chairperson), Director, Arizona Department of Homeland Security
• Lt. Jim Gallager, Lieutenant, Phoenix Police Department Human Trafficking Vice Squad
• Andrew Pacheco, Criminal Division Chief, Arizona Attorney General’s Office
• Lea Benson, President/CEO, StreetlightUSA
• Brian Steele, Executive Director, Phoenix Dream Center
• Bill Ridenour, Attorney

The Governor’s Task Force on Human Trafficking must prepare and submit to the Governor – no later than September 20, 2013 – a detailed summary of findings and final recommendations pertaining to human trafficking.

While employers are expected to use the revised Form I-9 immediately for all new hires and reverifications, USCIS recognizes that certain employers will need time to update their business policies and procedures. Accordingly, employers may continue to use previously accepted versions of Form I-9 until May 7, 2013. After the expiration of this grace period on May 7, 2013, all employers will be required to use the new Form I-9. Please note, employers should not complete a new Form I-9 for employees who already have a Form I-9 on file. Additionally, while a Spanish version of the revised Form I-9 is available on the USCIS website, such is only allowed to be used by employers in Puerto Rico. Spanish speaking employers and employees in the United States may, however, use this form for reference in completing the English version of the revised Form I-9.

Ernest Calderón, a six generation native of the New Mexico Territory, represents individuals, businesses, cities, counties and school districts. As a decorated 30 year veteran of practicing law in Arizona courts, Mr. Calderón celebrates the diversity of his clients and cases. Growing up in the mining town of Morenci, Arizona, Mr. Calderón quickly realized he wasn’t cut out for the repetitive work of a copper miner and has devoted his legal career to helping people who have no other place to turn.

To read the full article in Attorney At Law Magazine, click here.

The Arizona Court of Appeals recently upheld $5.9 million judgment against Central Christian Church, located in Mesa and Gilbert, Arizona, and Amor Ministries, of California.  The verdict arose out of an accident on a mission trip to build a church in Mexico, coordinated by Central Christian and Amor.  While constructing the roof of the building, a trip participant stepped on an unsheathed rafter, fell through the unfinished roof and sustained multiple injuries.

The case demonstrates why churches should consider the risks presented by a mission trip and confirm that appropriate means are in place to fairly deal with an injury claim from a church member that may arise out of such a trip.  Several procedures should be considered.

First, the church should obtain a certificate of insurance from the mission agency to confirm that a valid insurance policy is in place and effective during the period of the trip.  The church should request that it be named as an additional insured on the mission agency’s policy, and if the trip is in another country, confirm that the policy covers events outside of the US.  The church should also consider obtaining a specific endorsement to its own insurance policy, or a separate policy, for out-of-country trips.

Second, the church should be sure that the mission agency provides adequate training, materials and supervision of the activities on the trip.  The church and the mission agency should document in advance what the agency will provide, and what the church is expected to provide.

Churches and mission agencies often require trip participants to sign liability waivers to participate in trips.  Any such waivers should provide that the participant is only waiving damages that exceed the amount of applicable church and agency insurance coverage.  This will allow the participant to benefit from any insurance coverage of the church or agency that applies to his or her loss.

Churches and mission agencies should also consider including in any waivers mandatory arbitration and mediation provisions, to prevent the dispute from being resolved by a secular jury.   Such terms can require that disputes be resolved in a process administered by a faith-based organization that assists parties that share common religious values that may impact their views on how a dispute between members of the same faith should be addressed.

If you would like assistance in developing an appropriate set of policies to fairly deal with injury claims that may arise out of mission trips, contact Scott Wakefield at swakefield@rhlfirm.com, or 602-254-9900.

Click Here to Download the Case Summary (pdf)

The purpose of this case summary and presentation is to explore the scope of the attorney-client and work-product privileges in Arizona, to study the procedures by which they are asserted in Arizona practice, and to identify certain differences and similarities between them. This presentation does not address experts or the privileges protecting their work.