Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, PLC is pleased to welcome law clerks Michael Appel, Brendan Hecht, Anthony Julian, Zak Kuchler, Brenden Leader, Andrew Morse, Jocelyn Reyes, Sara Selvaraj, and Phillip Tomas.

Michael Appel joins the firm’s Transportation Trial Group. During his time at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Michael served as a research aide for a professor and at the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, as well as a legal extern for the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of General Counsel.

In previous clerking positions, he drafted briefs, worked on asylum proceedings, and helped prepare family law Continuing Legal Education presentations. Michael earned his undergraduate degree in history and political science, also from ASU.

Brendan Hecht joins the firm’s General Liability Trial Group. He served as Secretary for the Jewish Law Student Association, and as an Executive Board Member of the Sports Law and Business Student Association, while at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

Brendan’s professional experience includes assisting with client intake, drafting motions, and trial and witness preparation.

He also founded a lawncare/landscaping business in Winnipeg, where he received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Manitoba.

Anthony Julian joins the firm’s General Liability Trial Group. He served as the Submissions Chair for the ASU Sports and Entertainment Law Journal while studying for his JD at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. While at ASU, Anthony also earned his certificate in Trial Advocacy.

He was a Legal Intern for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Capital Litigation Bureau, and a legal extern for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, where he performed a variety of duties such as research, creating trial notebooks, observing depositions, hearings, and trials. Additionally, Anthony completed Rule 39 Certified Limited Practice Work. He was also a Summer Associate at JSH last summer in 2021. Anthony earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona, receiving a BA of Arts in Film and Television and a BA of Arts in Law.

Zak Kuchler joins the firm’s Municipal and Employment Trial Group. While attending the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, he served as a research aide and a graduate writing assistant, as well as the Executive Director of External Affairs for the Sports Law and Business Organization. As a legal intern for the Arizona Coyotes Hockey Club and for U-Haul International, Zak gained experience working on employment litigation, intellectual property, corporate governance, ADR, and other matters. Prior to going to law school, he served as an Auxiliary Officer in the Calgary Police Service, where he had the opportunity to participate in investigations, testify in court, and train in de-escalation tactics. Zak’s undergraduate degree is in Justice Studies from Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia.

Brenden Leader joins the firm’s Automotive Trial Group. He attended Arizona State University, where he earned both his BSE, magna cum laude, in Engineering Management and his Juris Doctor degrees.

Brenden was the winner of Moot Court Competition at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. His professional experience includes reviewing non-disclosure agreements and practicing patent and trademark prosecution with limited recognition to practice before the USPTO and serving as a Judicial Extern with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Brenden is also a U.S.A. Certified Boxing Coach.

Andrew Morse joins the firm’s General Liability Trial Group. Prior to attending the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, he gained experience working as a paralegal with a New York law firm. Andrew has also served as a Capital Litigation Intern with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, a Student Attorney with the University of Arizona Innocence Project Clinic, and a Law Clerk with the criminal division of the Pima County Attorney’s Office.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Fordham University Gabelli School of Business and was a participant in the 2016 NYC Marathon.

Jocelyn Reyes joins the firm’s Transportation Trial Group. She served as President of the Latino Law Student Association at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, where she also wrote for the Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law.

Jocelyn’s professional experience includes working for Vice Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer (Arizona Supreme Court) and conducting bench trials and an evidentiary hearing as a Certified Limited Practice Student for the Pima County Attorney’s Office. She earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminal Justice/Criminology and Sociology, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in Psychology. Jocelyn is a native Spanish speaker and a member of the Arizona Desert Dolls Roller Derby team.

Sara Selvaraj joins the firm’s Healthcare Trial Group. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California, Riverside, she has integrated her undergraduate studies with legal work, as well as focusing on employment law, regulatory compliance, privacy statutes, and legislative research. During her time at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Sara served as the Note & Comment Editor for Jurimetrics and as a student practitioner at the Lisa Foundation Patent Clinic.

She was Secretary for the Diverse Students Coalition, a representative for the Health Law Society, and a participant in the National Health Law Moot Court Competition.

Phillip Tomas joins the firm’s General Liability/Construction Trial Group. Prior to earning his Juris Doctor from the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, he served as a legal extern for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and the Arizona Senate Rules Office, as well as a judicial extern for the Honorable Clint Bolick of the Arizona Supreme Court.

Phillip gained experience with research, litigation strategy, drafting motions, witness interviews, and preparing for depositions. His undergraduate degree in psychology is from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Phillip speaks conversational Portuguese and enjoys golfing.