Vail C. Cloar focuses his practice on a wide array of litigation matters including constitutional litigation, eminent domain matters, professional malpractice litigation, and appeals before both state and federal courts. Mr. Cloar has represented all manner of both private and governmental clients in eminent domain matters across the state. He has litigated appeals before the Arizona Court of Appeals, the Arizona Supreme Court, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Cloar is also an adjunct faculty member at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University where he teaches two classes, Private Property Rights and Business and Real Estate Valuation.
Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Cloar served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert M. Brutinel of the Arizona Supreme Court.
Education & Credentials
Education
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law - Arizona State University
J.D., 2014- magna cum laude
- Order of the Coif
- 2014 John S. Armstrong Award
- Pedrick Scholar
- Arizona State Law Journal, Managing Editor
- CALI Excellence for the Future Awards:
- Contracts
- Torts
- Legal Advocacy
- Professional Responsibility
- Private Property Rights
- Family Law
- Pro Bono Distinction
Arizona State University
B.A., European History, 2011- summa cum laude
- Dean's List
Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- Southwest Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Eminent Domain, 2024
- Best Lawyers in America®
- "Ones to Watch," Commercial Litigation, 2021-2023
- "Ones to Watch," Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
- Arizona Bar Exam
- Highest Score, 2014
Prominent Assignments
Assisted in the representation of a special taxing district in condemning a waterline easement and contractual water rights and with the defense of that district against a seven-figure severance damage claim.
Assisted in the defense of a national drive-away trucking company against a class claim alleging violations of state and federal minimum wage statutes spanning ten years and four states.
Assisted in successful appellate litigation affirming a trial court judgment dismissing a multi-million dollar damage claim against an Arizona municipality for breach of a development agreement.
Assisted in the representation of land owners in opposition to the creation of a special tax-levying improvement district, including representation before the Arizona Senate Subcommittee on Finance.
Experience
- Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert M. Brutinel, Arizona Supreme Court
Publications/Presentations
- Speaker, "Table of Experts: Cybersecurity and digital privacy," Phoenix Business Journal, October 2022
- How to Lose Your Notice of Claim Defense, Serving the Public Lawyer Seminar, February 2017
- Safely Subsidized: Derivative and Repo Financing Under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, 45 Ariz. St. L.J. 1663 (2013).
- Co-author, Surviving Cross Exam: Tips for Expert Witnesses, Journal of Accountancy (Oct. 2014)