Atty. Rick Bistrow
Rick has focused his practice on civil litigation, insurance defense and construction litigation for over 40 years. In the early 1980s, he formed a partnership known as Horne, Bistrow, and Kaplan, P.C., which soon became one of the leading boutique construction law firms in Arizona.Throughout his long and varied career, Rick has handled numerous complex construction matters for owners, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.
Business And Corporate Law & More Attorney · Serving Scottsdale, AZ · 57+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Rick Bistrow at a Glance
Rick Bistrow is a Partner based in Scottsdale, Arizona, practicing at Resnick And Louis P C. They have 57+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1969. Their practice focuses on medical malpractice, business, real estate, construction, and litigation. Admitted to practice in Arizona (1969). Educated at Arizona Law School J.D. (—) and University of California - Berkeley B.S. (—). Serves clients in Scottsdale, AZ and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Rick Bistrow
- Rick has focused his practice on civil litigation, insurance defense and construction litigation for over 40 years
- In the early 1980s, he formed a partnership known as Horne, Bistrow, and Kaplan, P.C., which soon became one of the leading boutique construction law firms in Arizona.Throughout his long and varied career, Rick has handled numerous complex construction matters for owners, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers
- Early in his career he successfully prosecuted as lead counsel a construction case involving a hotel in downtown Phoenix that resulted in a judgment against a contractor for $1.6 million
- Over the years, he successfully defended the State against road builders who sought multi-million dollars in damages
- He has handled many matters involving mechanics liens, construction defects, delays, damages, contract integrations, Miller act and Little Miller Act suits, licensing, surety and bad faith suits
- Rick has also acted as first chair in several jury trials and has been lead counsel in many arbitrations and court trials.In 2011, Mr. Bistrow became Chief Deputy of the Arizona Office of the Attorney General
- In this capacity, he was in charge of some 400 lawyers and oversaw five separate divisions, including the Civil Division
- The Liability Management Services Section of that division defends the State on all tort claims brought against it
- One of Rick’s duties was to evaluate these claims and approve any settlement offer made by the State
- He ended his duties as Chief Deputy in 2014 and joined Resnick & Louis thereafter.In 2005, he was asked by the Arizona Department of Education to defend it after a Federal District Court fined Arizona $2 million dollars a day for failure to properly fund English Language Learning programs in violation of prior judgments of the Court
- Rick secured a stay of the fines at the 9th Circuit Court of appeals and later successfully argued that the prior contempt orders should be vacated
- This resulted in three separate complicated trials between 2007-2010, proceeding an argument before the 9th Circuit, and a trip to the United States Supreme Court, which adopted Rick’s position in a 5-4 vote
- The case, known as Horne vs
- Flores (2009) is perhaps the leading case in the country on Rule 60(b)(5) remedies involving governmental institutions
Practice Areas Explained
Rick Bistrow's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Rick Bistrow handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Scottsdale.
Medical Malpractice in Scottsdale
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Rick Bistrow is one of 48,593 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in Arizona →
Business & Corporate Law in Scottsdale
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Rick Bistrow is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Arizona →
Real Estate Law in Scottsdale
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Rick Bistrow is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Arizona →
Construction Law in Scottsdale
Rick Bistrow is one of 40,302 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Arizona →
Civil Litigation in Scottsdale
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Rick Bistrow is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Arizona →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Scottsdale
Practicing law in Arizona. Legal matters in Arizona are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Scottsdale are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Arizona state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Arizona brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Arizona courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Scottsdale Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Scottsdale-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Arizona attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Scottsdale or all attorneys in Arizona.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Scottsdale Choose Rick Bistrow
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Rick Bistrow's practice in the field of medical malpractice, business, real estate, construction, and litigation.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Rick Bistrow brings 57+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering medical malpractice, business, and real estate, Rick Bistrow can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Scottsdale
A Scottsdale-based practice means Rick Bistrow attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Rick Bistrow Handles in Scottsdale
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Rick Bistrow has experience with under Arizona law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Rick Bistrow directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Rick Bistrow Online
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Rick Bistrow's Practice Areas & Specializations
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