Marsha Cotton, Associate at our Phoenix law office
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Marsha Cotton

Associate
Biography

Marsha Cotton has a multifaceted commercial litigation practice that includes advising clients on all aspects of risk assessment and dispute resolution. She regularly assists clients with complex commercial litigation and appellate issues in state and federal court. Marsha represents businesses in a variety of industries including manufacturing and wholesale distribution, financial services, travel and resort, real estate, non-profit, automotive, healthcare, and others.

Prior to joining Snell & Wilmer, Marsha served as a judicial law clerk at the Arizona State Court of Appeals, Division I and the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona. This background gives Marsha the depth of knowledge to truly understand the “nuts and bolts” of the state and federal court systems, which allows her to advise clients accordingly.

Due to Arizona’s unique geographical footprint, Marsha also has a range of experience advising companies on the risks associated with many non-traditional business transactions. For example, Marsha regularly represents gaming and manufacturing companies doing business with many of the sovereign tribes in Arizona. In addition, Marsha has experience representing clients with cross-border business disputes.

Marsha takes pride in being a trusted confidant and advisor who helps her clients solve tough business problems.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona


Education

  • Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (J.D.)
    • Dean’s Award
    • William H. Pedrick Scholar
    • Associate Editor, Sports and Entertainment Law Journal
  • The University of Oklahoma, (M.Ed.)
  • Southern Nazarene University (B.S., magna cum laude)
    • 2013 NCCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship Team
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • Snell & Wilmer Pro Bono Award (2024)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law (2024-2025)
  • Arizona Bar Foundation Top Pro Bono Attorney of the Year (2022)
  • Community Legal Services Volunteer Lawyer’s Program Remote Service Team Member of the Year (2021)

Representative Experience

  • Represented multiple manufacturing and distribution companies in disputes involving breach of procurement contracts and breach of service agreements
  • Represented multiple companies in appeals before the Arizona Court of Appeals and Arizona Supreme Court
  • Defended multiple Fortune 500 companies against allegations of state and federal employment law violations
  • Defended national healthcare organization against allegations of corporate negligence
  • Counseled international musical instrument company in restructuring service agreement terms to help provide a safer environment as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Counseled national material handling company regarding its efforts to create a standardized waiver and release of liability agreement
  • Advised multiple international gaming companies on compliance with Arizona’s sports betting, lottery, and games of chance laws
  • Represented multiple companies during regulatory disputes with tribal government agencies
  • Defended nonprofit chapter in breach of contract dispute
  • Defended nonprofit board members in defamation and tortious interference with contractual relationship dispute

Previous Professional Experience

  • U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, Judicial Law Clerk
  • Arizona Court of Appeals, Division I, Judicial Law Clerk
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona, Judicial Extern
  • Quarles & Brady, LLP, Legal Writing Intern
  • Arizona State University Office of General Counsel, Extern

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • National Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association, Phoenix Chapter
  • Arizona Black Bar
  • Arizona Women Lawyers Association

Community Involvement

  • William E. Morris Institute for Justice
    • Board of Directors (2024-Present)
  • Dress for Success Phoenix
    • Volunteer (2018-Present)
  • U.S. Young African Leadership Initiative Mandela Washington Fellowship
    • Volunteer Mentor (2019-Present)

Representative Presentations and Publications