AZ FOP Law Firm

Bob is a second-generation Arizonan, born and raised in Phoenix. Following his graduation from Arizona State University’s College of Law in 1981, Bob served as law clerk to the Honorable Thomas Tang, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. As a judicial clerk, he drafted opinions, orders and memoranda for the Court in cases involving a variety of federal matters including labor and employment issues. Later, he was associated with a small law firm where his practice included issues pertaining to complex Native American water rights, eminent domain litigation, commercial transactions, estate planning, business formation, election and civil rights law.

For the past quarter century, though, his practice emphasis has been in public employment law, including wage and hour issues and civil rights litigation. He has practiced in the United States Supreme Court, and argued cases in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the United States District Court, the Arizona Supreme Court, the Arizona Court of Appeals and the Arizona Superior Courts.

Active in his community, Bob has served as a faculty member at the State Bar Seminar “The Power of One: Making Cultural Diversity a Reality for the Legal Profession in Arizona” and at the Business Law Forum for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses speaking on the “At-Will” employment doctrine in Arizona. He was a founding director and remains a member of the Arizona Asian-American Bar Association, and served as a volunteer and participating mentor in the Maricopa County Bar Association Cultural Diversity Mentoring Program. Bob’s community involvement also includes service on the Board of Directors for the Phoenix Museum of History and a four-year appointment by the Governor to serve as a member of the State Liquor Board.

Bob was given an “AV” preeminent rating by his peers, the highest quality rating for competence and ethical standards issued by the Martindale Hubbell Law Directory, and he is proud to have maintained that rating for the past 15 years.

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating

Representative appellate cases

• Pijanowski v. Yuma County, 202 Ariz. 260, 43 P.3d 208 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2002): Establishing the right of more than 650 County Sheriff’s Deputies to overtime pay based on a 40 hour work week.
• Clark v. Town of Buckeye, 343 F. App’x. 177 (9th Cir. 2009): Clarifying a police officer’s rights to pre-termination due process.
• Strube v. Arizona Dept. of Econ. Sec., 140 Ariz. 212, 680 P.2d 1273 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1984): Establishing the rights of employees to receive unemployment benefits during temporary plant “shut downs”.

Carol is a native of Arizona, born and raised in Phoenix. Carol received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona Law School in 1986. While at the University of Arizona, she was a member of the Arizona Law Review. Prior to law school, Carol worked as a law clerk and assisted in the preparation of complex Native American water rights litigation cases. Following her graduation from law school, she became an associate attorney at a firm in Phoenix, Arizona. As an associate, her practice included civil litigation and continued participation in the Native American water rights litigation cases.

In 1987, Carol helped to establish the law firm of Yen & Pilch, (eventually becoming Yen Pilch & Landeen). Her practice focuses on employment law, civil and commercial litigation and elections law. Carol represents clients in all aspects of labor and employment law. She has handled matters involving Title VII discrimination claims, Age Discrimination in Employment claims, Americans with Disability claims, Family Medical Leave Act claims, and matters brought under the National Labor Relations Act, to name a few. Carol has also handled complex wage claim matters brought under both state and federal law, and other complex civil litigation matters. She has appeared and argued cases before both the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the Arizona Supreme Court. Carol has also appeared before the Consumer Products Safety Commission, where she helped her clients oversee the largest consumer product recall in U.S. history.

Carol was appointed to serve as a judge pro tem in the Maricopa County Superior Court in 1994 and continues to serve in that capacity, presiding over several cases each year, and handling many settlement conferences.

Carol’s peers have given her an “AV” preeminent rating, the highest quality rating for competence and ethical standards issued by the Martindale Hubbell Law Directory. She is proud to have been selected in 2011 for inclusion in the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers, a distinction held by less than 5% of women lawyers nationwide.

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating

Representative appellate cases

• Lake v. City of Phoenix, 222 Ariz. 547, 218 P.3d 1004 (2009): A landmark case establishing the right of police officers to obtain “metadata” under the Arizona Public Records Act.
• Sherrill v. City of Peoria, 189 Ariz. 537, 943 P.2d 1215 (1997): Establishing and clarifying the requirements for referendum and initiative petitions under the Arizona Constitution.

Neil received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in Seattle in 2002, and received his Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University in 2005. Neil is a graduate from the Arizona State University Civil Practice Clinic as well as the Arizona State University Lodestar Mediation Clinic. Following law school, Neil joined Yen Pilch & Landeen. His practice emphasizes employment law, administrative law and personal injury.

In representing many of Arizona’s law enforcement officers, Neil regularly responds to scenes of police officer-involved critical incidents, where he ensures that the rights of law enforcement officers are protected. Neil has responded to numerous critical incidents and has handled hundreds of administrative investigations and disciplinary action appeals. Neil also regularly represents clients in cases involving wrongful termination, EEOC discrimination charges and mediations, wage and overtime claims, whistleblower claims, public records requests and litigation, and other complex employment and civil litigation matters.

Neil has practiced and argued cases in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the United States District Court, the Arizona Supreme Court, the Arizona Court of Appeals, and the Arizona Superior Courts. Additionally, he represents federal employees in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and before the federal Merit Systems Protection Board.

In June of 2009, Neil was awarded the pro bono “HIV/AIDS Law Project Team Award” for his commitment to providing legal services to the less fortunate. He has also taught Continuing Legal Education courses on police use of force issues and related ethics.

Notable Cases:

• Lake v. City of Phoenix, 222 Ariz. 547, 218 P.3d 1004 (2009): A landmark case establishing the right to obtain “metadata” under the Arizona Public Records Act.
• Lincoln v. State, No. 1 CA-CV 15-0370, 2016 WL 2909380 (Ariz. Ct. App. May 19, 2016): A case regarding the wrongful termination and reinstatement of a DPS Sergeant.
• Dyer v. City of Yuma, No. 1 CA-CV 15-0221, 2016 WL 2658135 (Ariz. Ct. App. May 10, 2016): A case regarding the wrongful termination of a Yuma Police Officer.

Samantha Caplinger’s practice is primarily focused on public employment law, administrative investigations and hearings, and criminal defense. With a decade of experience litigating cases, Samantha has handled hundreds of pre-trial interviews, dozens of jury trials, and countless court appearances. Samantha prides herself on her ability to maintain good working relationships with all parties in a case and using her communication skills to benefit her clients, always striving to achieve the best possible outcome.

Prior to joining YPRK, Samantha served as a prosecutor at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and Arizona Attorney General’s Office where she primarily focused on sexually motivated crimes, but handled cases of all types, both misdemeanor and felony. In this role, she gained substantial trial experience and invaluable insight into the workings of the prosecution. Samantha solidified her reputation in this role as a strong advocate for justice, which led her to the role of a public defense attorney for Pinal County.

Samantha is passionate about justice and fighting for her clients’ rights, whether in the criminal arena or employment law arena. She believes everyone deserves the best defense possible and enjoys being an advocate for those navigating through what are often harrowing experiences.

An Arizona native, Samantha has always been dedicated to serving the people of Arizona. She graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law in 2012 and attended the University of Arizona as an undergraduate to receive her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration in 2008.