Stephen Best is member of Buchalter’s Litigation practice group in the Firm’s Scottsdale office. Mr. Best represents a variety of companies in general civil litigation matters, including construction companies, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals in claims involving construction defects. He further represents various individual clients through his trust and estates litigation practice. Mr. Best has achieved successful outcomes for many of his clients, including successfully litigating cases through trial.

Mr. Best is licensed both in Arizona and California and regularly practices in both states. He is also fluent in Japanese and able to assist Japanese clients with representative matters within the United States.

Mr. Best was recognized in the Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law and Litigation for 2023-2025.

  • Secured summary judgment in an ERISA matter on behalf of the ERISA Plan, the Plan administrator, and the employer, in a heavily-contested dispute over benefits through an ERISA Top Hat Plan. Plaintiff contended that he was entitled to well over $500,000 pursuant to the Plan. After assisting the clients in navigating through the appropriate Plan administrative process, and after suit was filed in Federal District Court for the District of Arizona, successfully demonstrated to the Court that the Plan administrator’s interpretation was reasonable and consistent with the Plan.
  • Successfully defended client against allegations concerning violations of the FDCPA and TILA totaling in excess of $25 million dollars.
  • Member of trial team who successfully obtained a unanimous defense verdict on behalf of national RV dealership on breach of contract and fraud actions

Mr. Best earned his J.D. from the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, where he was involved in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, ranking in the Top 10 oral advocates in the Hong Kong competition. He continues to serve as a coach for the Arizona State Vis International Moot team. He earned his B.B.A. from Texas A&M University.