Quarles Selects Jason Wood as Phoenix Office Managing Partner

October 26, 2022 (Phoenix) – The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced today that Jason Wood has been named managing partner of the Phoenix office, effective November 1, 2022.

Wood is a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group and most recently served as its Arizona chair for five years until passing responsibilities to partner Eric Wanner this summer. As chair, Wood nearly doubled the group's local headcount and facilitated the addition of several accomplished attorneys, land planners and other professionals who support the lifecycle of real estate, debt, equity and related venture transactions. 

“Jason has established himself not only as an influential real estate and business attorney in Arizona, but as a trusted advisor to a diverse group of institutional, private sector, family office and large public company clients doing business across the U.S. and abroad,” said Brad Vynalek, the firm’s president. “He is extraordinarily devoted to the success of his clients and relentless in his efforts on their behalf. Jason is equally committed to the success of his colleagues and the strategic growth and advancement of Arizona, a place his family has called home for nearly 150 years. All of these factors make him the ideal individual to lead our Phoenix office, continue the Quarles legacy and, along with his partners and colleagues, constantly innovate and enhance our delivery of high-quality, efficient and business-focused legal solutions to our clients.”

Wood holds an AV® Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating awarded for professional excellence. He also has been recognized by Chambers USA (Real Estate) since 2020, appeared in the Southwest Super Lawyers lists for the last eight years and has been selected for the Best Lawyers in America (Real Estate Law).

Wood is the current Arizona and New Mexico chair of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Government Relations Committee, where he works with the Arizona delegation to advance ICSC's initiatives benefitting commercial property owners, and has been active in the Arizona District Council of the Urban Land Institute for several years. In addition to past service on several nonprofit boards, Wood is an active member of The Thunderbirds.

Wood earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and was awarded a juris doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to further devote myself to my colleagues in this role and take on the great responsibility of promoting an exceptional firm and leading its talented people across the region," said Wood. “Few firms can match our combination of deep local roots -- with more than 50 years in the Arizona market -- our multidisciplinary national scope, our commitment to long-term partnerships with clients spanning our 130-year history and our collaborative and team-focused culture.”

Wood succeeds Leonardo Loo, who in addition to overseeing growth and having developed valuable partnerships with clients and community stakeholders during his tenure, shepherded the Phoenix office through the many challenges presented by the COVID pandemic. Likewise, as a thought leader, Loo brought unique experience and perspective to bear in facilitating many of the strategic initiatives related to the firm’s exceptional growth. Loo will transition into an expanded role as a member of the firm’s governing executive committee, and also as a leader of the firm’s International Services team, responsible for managing and expanding our cross-border and international practice.  

“It has been a real privilege leading this talented group of individuals,” said Loo. “I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished as a team in the past few years for our clients, our Quarles family and our community, while continuing to deepen our long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. I look forward to collaborating with all of our stakeholders to further these and many other initiatives for the benefit of our clients and colleagues in my larger roles within the firm. I am equally excited to work with Jason as he takes over the helm.”

In addition to his expanded roles, Loo will continue his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, commercial financing, general corporate law and international transactions. He has been recognized by Chambers USA (Corporate/M&A), the Best Lawyers in America (including as a “Lawyer of the Year”), Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, an “Angel of the Year” by AZ Big Media and as one of the “Most Admired Leaders” by the Phoenix Business Journal.