representing design professionals, custom home builders, and subcontractors in complex litigation matters.
Our law firm prioritizes understanding and addressing the unique needs and goals of each client, ensuring personalized and effective legal solutions.
Our law firm prioritizes understanding and addressing the unique needs and goals of each client, ensuring personalized and effective legal solutions.
Our law firm prioritizes understanding and addressing the unique needs and goals of each client, ensuring personalized and effective legal solutions.
Our law firm prioritizes understanding and addressing the unique needs and goals of each client, ensuring personalized and effective legal solutions.
Our law firm prioritizes understanding and addressing the unique needs and goals of each client, ensuring personalized and effective legal solutions.
Our law firm prioritizes understanding and addressing the unique needs and goals of each client, ensuring personalized and effective legal solutions.
Our law firm prioritizes understanding and addressing the unique needs and goals of each client, ensuring personalized and effective legal solutions.
Our law firm prioritizes understanding and addressing the unique needs and goals of each client, ensuring personalized and effective legal solutions.
Our law firm prioritizes understanding and addressing the unique needs and goals of each client, ensuring personalized and effective legal solutions.
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Our Team
COLE CRABTREE | MANAGING PARTNER
HEATHER CRABTREE | CO-OWNER, COO
colecrabtree@crabtreelawfirm.com
(602) 669-3780
Cole has been practicing law for more than twenty years with a specific focus on the construction industry.
He is an experienced trial attorney representing design professionals including architects and engineers in complex litigation matters and general contractors and subcontractors in multi-party mass action construction matters.
Cole tried two of the first class action construction defect cases in Arizona, each lasting approximately six weeks. He has also successfully defended a nationally known architect in a $50 million breach of contract matter and an international engineering firm in a $20 million defective design claim. Cole obtained summary judgments and awards of attorney fees for both a national subcontractor as well as a national product manufacturer.
Being an active member in the construction and legal community is important to Cole. He was a past member of the Executive Board of the Maricopa County Bar Association’s Construction Law Section. Cole has actively worked with the construction industry in not only drafting Arizona law but also assisting the construction industry with the Arizona legislative process. He prides himself on educating his clients on Arizona law that impacts the Arizona construction industry.
Sharing his expertise with others is something Cole does well. He presents on a variety of legal matters locally and nationally to insurance and construction professionals. Cole has a proven track record of being cost conscious and thinking “outside the box” in construction litigation, which has resulted in success both in and out of the court room.
Cole has established himself as an integral part of the insurance industry based on his ability to negotiate and close claims quickly as a result of his relationships, knowledge of the law and construction industry.
MANAGING PARTNER
COLE CRABTREE
Oklahoma City University School of Law
JD, 2002
University of Tulsa
BA, Political Science, 1999
EDUCATION
COURT + BAR ADMISSIONS
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2002
Arizona, 2002
Colorado, 2016
New Mexico, 2020
2018-2025 Best Lawyers
2022 Top Lawyer - Phoenix Magazine
HONORS/DISTINCTIONS
heathercrabtree@crabtreelawfirm.com
(602) 669-3898
Heather started her career in law and always has had a love for business. She quickly caught the entrepreneurial bug and has been an entrepreneur for 21 years. For the past 14 years, she has been a business advisor, strategist and coach for successful businesses all over the world. She loves helping companies determine how to grow their business profitably and sustainably. Systems, organization, and running an efficient and effective business make her heart happy. She is thrilled to be leading the business side of the law firm as her husband, Cole, leads the legal side of the business.
Heather loves reading, meditation, is writing her first book, and loves hanging out with her kids and husband as well as gardening. Heather + Cole are also planning the construction of a desert botanical artscape at their home in memory of their beautiful daughter, London, who passed away at the age of 15 after battling Stage 4 cancer for 6 years.
CO-OWNER + COO
HEATHER CRABTREE
Oklahoma City University School of Law
JD, 2002
Indiana State University
BS, Business Management, 1999
Education
FIRM ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER
TALYAH DWORSHAK
talyahdworshak@crabtreelawfirm.com
(602) 669-3730
Talyah started her career in education working in special needs classrooms. Working in the public school system for 5 years, Talyah found a passion for administration work and quickly moved into a virtual administrative career. Her love of continuing education and organization pushes her to continue to grow in her administrative career. She has a passion for helping people to grow in a fast-paced, virtual environment and works hard for the success of the firm and the clients we represent.
In her spare time, Talyah loves to create art, gardening, and traveling with her family and two dogs “Thor” and “Smokey”.
South Mountain Community College
Associates of General Education, 2019
South Mountain Community College
Associates of Fine Arts, 2019
Education
Arizona State University
Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
JD, cum laude 2015
Metropolitan State University of Denver BA, summa cum laude 2011
EDUCATION
COURT + BAR ADMISSIONS
normanfulton@crabtreelawfirm.com
(602) 669-3781
Norman is an experienced construction law and construction defect litigation attorney licensed in Arizona and Colorado. His practice focuses on representing sub-contractors in construction dispute resolution and defense of construction defect claims.
Prior to going to law school, Norman was an owner of D&J Custom Electric and is a Colorado Master Electrician. This provides him with the unique ability to understand issues that contractors face. A strong believer in pro bono work, Norman managed the development and operation of a free legal services clinic for Arizona veterans.
Norman loves the outdoors and exercise. He holds a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a PADI Divemaster.
PARTNER
NORMAN S. FULTON III
Arizona, 2015
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2016
Colorado, 2016
2024 - 2025 Super Lawyers Rising Stars
2020 Super Lawyers Rising Stars
HONORS/DISTINCTIONS
Hamline University School of Law, JD 2002
University of Minnesota, BA 1999
EDUCATION
COURT + BAR ADMISSIONS
keelyverstegen@crabtreelawfirm.com
(602) 675-5163
Keely has practiced in the areas of construction defect, property damage, construction law and administrative law. She has experience defending clients through the litigation process including representation at mediations, arbitrations, administrative hearings and trials. She has represented developers, general contractors, and subcontractors.
Before joining Crabtree Law Firm, she worked at insurance defense firms in Arizona as well as at the Attorney General's Office Licensing and Enforcement Division. Keely is originally from Watertown, South Dakota and has lived in Phoenix since 2023 with her husband and her two children. She enjoys traveling, Pilates and cooking.
PARTNER
KEELY VERSTEGEN
Minnesota, 2002 (Inactive)
Arizona, 2003
U.S. District Court of Arizona, 2005
lisastreu@crabtreelawfirm.com
(602) 669-3785
Lisa defends subcontractors and general contractors in construction defect disputes. She also engages in complex contract drafting and review. The daughter of a construction defect litigator, she never expected to follow her mother’s footsteps with a career dedicated to construction law. Nevertheless, Lisa loves her work, and she thoroughly enjoys implementing her acute legal acumen to protect her contractor clients’ interests. She is licensed to practice in all Arizona state courts, United States District Court, District of Arizona, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Having practiced in Arizona for several years, Lisa is recognized by her clients and the legal community as being a kind and reasonable yet tough and astute advocate. This approach has earned her notable achievements by peer review organizations including Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers of America, and Top Lawyers of Arizona.
To achieve life balance, Lisa teaches and practices Bikram yoga. She also loves spending time with her husband, son, daughter, and fur babies, traveling, and reading anything she can get her hands on.
PARTNER
LISA STREU
Arizona State University
Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law
JD, 2008
University of California, San Diego
BS, magna cum laude, 1998
EDUCATION
COURT + BAR ADMISSIONS
Arizona, 2009
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2009
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2009
2025 Super Lawyers
2023-2025 Best Lawyers
2022 Top Lawyers – Phoenix Magazine
2012-2019 Super Lawyers - Rising Stars
HONORS/DISTINCTIONS
paulkular@crabtreelawfirm.com
(602) 562-2554
Paul has over 21 years of litigation experience. He is licensed in Arizona and New Mexico. His areas of focus include construction, personal injury, subrogation and insurance coverage. Paul has been a judge pro tempore since 2024 and has been lauded for his mediation and negotiation skills.
Paul started his career with a large insurance company where he carried a blended case load comprised of construction, personal injury, and subrogation. He handled all construction defect, and subrogation matters for the company for many years before entering private practice. He has handled numerous multimillion-dollar lawsuits to resolution.
Paul has had countless success stories during his career. In 2010, he was referenced in Jokake Const. Co. v. Elward Const. CO., 2010 WL 334992 (2010), as having properly tendered the defense of his client in accordance with Litton Sys., Lnc. v. Shaw's Sale & Serv., Ltd., 119 Ariz. 10, 14, 579 P.2d 48, 52 (App.1978). In 2022, he successfully argued a case (No Worries Rooter, LLC v. Marlin Mechanical Corporation, Inc., 2022 WL 776442 (2022), at the Arizona Court of Appeals, which upheld the trial court’s decision granting Paul’s motion to dismiss his client in a defamation case.
Paul has also received several accolades during his career including being recognized by both Phoenix Magazine and Best Lawyers in America.
Paul is an outstanding athlete. In college, he played baseball and ran cross county at the NCAA Division II level. He is a low single digit handicap golfer who plays on amateur circuits.
Paul loves spending time with his wife Harp, daughter Amelia and son Jordan.
PARTNER
PAUL KULAR
Northeastern University School of Law,
JD, 2003
University of Bridgeport
B.A., in Social Sciences (emphasis in Psychology), 2000
EDUCATION
COURT + BAR ADMISSIONS
Arizona, 2003
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2003
New Mexico, 2019
2023-2025 Best Lawyers in America
2023-2025 Top Lawyers – Phoenix Magazine
HONORS/DISTINCTIONS
johndewitt@crabtreelawfirm.com
(602) 669-3736
John has practiced law for almost six years. Before joining Crabtree Law Firm, he worked with a small firm focusing on insurance defense and construction defect. Prior to practicing law, he held a Real Estate Salesperson license in California and was also a licensed plumber in Arizona.
John is from Powell, Wyoming where he began training in a Hawaiian martial art during his junior year of high school. He has continued to train and teach this martial art for over 30 years.
John met his wife in Mexico City and has been married for 16 years. In his free time, John enjoys hiking, playing racquetball, and traveling with his wife.
SENIOR ATTORNEY
JOHN DEWITT
California Western School of Law,
San Diego, CA, Juris Doctor
Montana State University – Billings
BS Counseling and Human Services
EDUCATION
COURT + BAR ADMISSIONS
US District Court, District of Arizona
US District Court, District of New Mexico
Arizona 2016
New Mexico 2023
michellebaskette@crabtreelawfirm.com
(480) 956-5726
Michelle Baskette moved to Arizona from Texas in 2017. Michelle has been a paralegal in litigation for over 30 years, during which time she has had significant trial experience in the areas of complex commercial, corporate, construction, general contract, medical mal-practice, insurance and securities disputes in both state and federal courts. Throughout her career, Michelle has worked on numerous state and federal trials and further managed cases involving immigration, criminal defense, family law, estate planning and probate.
In her spare time, Michelle enjoys traveling, hiking and exploring Arizona’s landscape with her husband and their two English bulldogs, “Jack” and “Allie.”
SENIOR PARALEGAL
MICHELLE BASKETTE
Paralegal Certificate
Texas, 1994
EDUCATION
legalassistant@crabtreelawfirm.com
(602) 649-6294
Marissa is a dedicated legal assistant with four years of experience and a strong background in paralegal studies. Born and raised in Arizona, she has a deep appreciation for both the legal field and the beauty of the desert landscape. Balancing her professional life with her role as a proud mom of four and a loving wife, she strives to maintain harmony between work and family.
Outside of her career, she is passionate about reading, fitness, hiking, and exploring nature. She cherishes spending quality time with her family, whether out on an adventure or simply enjoying each other’s company at home.
legal assistant
MARISSA LUNCEFORD
Certified Life Coach
In process of obtaining Certification in Paralegal Studies
CERTIFICATIONS
Our Core Principles
CLIENT-FOCUSED
COMMUNICATION
COLLABORATION
COMMITMENT
Our law firm prioritizes understanding and addressing the unique needs and goals of each construction client, ensuring personalized and effective legal solutions.
Clear, timely, and transparent communication is the cornerstone of our practice, fostering trust and understanding between our team and our construction clients throughout every stage of their legal journey.
We believe in working closely with our construction clients as partners in their legal journey. By fostering collaboration and mutual trust, we achieve optimal outcomes.
We are committed to helping contractors, architects and engineers with their construction legal issues while they continue to run their business.
These core principles reflect our unwavering dedication to excellence, integrity, and client satisfaction.
