Jill Ormond is the Managing Partner of the Phoenix office of GRSM and is a member of the Commercial Litigation, Product Liability, Construction, Environmental & Toxic Tort, and Intellectual Property practice groups. Jill helps clients ranging from international retailers to specialty entertainment companies find practical and cost-effective legal solutions. She has nearly a decade of experience in tort and complex commercial litigation matters representing major manufacturers, distributors, retailers, suppliers, and premise owners in matters involving product liability (automotive, trucking, commercial transportation, tire and axel manufacturers, consumer products), medical device, premise liability, toxic and environmental litigation (asbestos, mold, benzene, and other chemical exposures), and commercial matters.  Jill also represents contractors, subcontractors, designers, and owners in construction cases involving construction site injuries, construction defect, and design defect matters.  She defends clients in mass tort litigation and class actions.

Jill also counsels clients on protecting their intellectual properties. Jill advises clients through the entire life cycle of film, television, music, digital media, and other creative assets.  She represents film and television industry clients in production, acquisition, clearances, distribution and licensing deals, and agreements with cast/crew and any related litigation.  Jill’s experience representing entertainment clients, combined with her understanding of the production process, distribution, licensing, acquisition, and publishing rights, and litigation uniquely positions her to address the complex issues that can arise in creative projects.

Admissions

• Arizona
• New Mexico
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona

Memberships

• Maricopa County Superior Court, Judge Pro Tempore, 2014
• Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, Member
• Defense Research Institute (DRI), Member
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Executive Committee
• Arizona Women Lawyers Association, Board Member since 2007, former State Board President

• Trial counsel for manufacturer in jury trial involving claims brought by grocery store patron of injuries allegedly resulting from manufacturer’s display. Defense verdict.

• Trial counsel for automobile repair service company in three-week jury trial for tire failure claims. Defense verdict.

• Trial counsel in bench trial to successfully defend partnership dissolution.

• Summary judgment on various premises liability related claims.

• Represented apartment complex owner against claims by residents alleging wrongful death related to bathtub refinishing chemical. Matter settled with no payment by owners.

• Managed trademark litigation to a reasonable settlement before trial.

• Successfully litigated a preliminary injunction for unfair trade practices based on defendant’s use of confusingly similar name and providing similar services.

• Successfully defended art gallery owners against copyright infringement claims by an artist. Giddings v. Vision House Production, Inc., 584 F.Supp.2d 1222 (2008).