A Trusted Criminal Defense Law Firm Named a Finalist in Phoenix Business Journal Awards

By David Lish

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News

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Aug 06, 2026

A Proud Finalist Among Arizona’s Best Businesses

Being among the best of the best in the Phoenix business community is no small thing, and that’s exactly the company Grand Canyon Law Group found itself in this year. We are proud to share that the Phoenix Business Journal named us a finalist in its 2026 Small Business Awards. This recognition puts us alongside an impressive group of Arizona businesses that are all pushing their industries forward.

A Recognition Rooted in Real Experience

The Phoenix Business Journal’s Small Business Awards recognize locally based companies for measurable growth, community engagement, and leadership within the greater Phoenix business community. For a trusted criminal defense law firm, that kind of outside validation matters. It reflects something our clients tell us often: that the way we practice law is different, and that difference gets results.

Grand Canyon Law Group was founded in 2020, by attorneys Ryan McPhie and David Lish. Both are former prosecutors who made the deliberate choice to move to the defense side of the courtroom. That background is not a footnote. It’s the foundation of the firm, and it’s a big part of why clients across Arizona have come to see Grand Canyon Law Group as a trusted criminal defense law firm they can rely on during the hardest moments of their lives.

“Ryan and I started Grand Canyon Law Group because we believed people accused of a crime deserved a defense team that could see the case from every angle, including the prosecution’s,” said David Lish, Co-Founder of Grand Canyon Law Group. “Having built our careers as prosecutors before moving to the defense side, we understood firsthand how the system works, and we wanted to put that insight to work for the people who need it most. Being a finalist for this award is a real honor, and it’s a reflection of the whole team’s work, not just ours.”

Why a Former Prosecutor’s Perspective Builds Trust

Search for any criminal defense firm online and you’ll find promises of aggressive representation. What’s harder to find is a genuinely trusted criminal defense law firm with attorneys who have actually sat on the other side of the table. Grand Canyon Law Group’s founding attorneys have prosecuted cases themselves. That means they understand how the state builds a case, what evidence prosecutors prioritize, and where the case may have weaknesses.

That insider’s perspective, paired with a genuine commitment to client communication, is what the firm calls its proactive defense model. It’s a philosophy that shows up in how the firm handles every case. From DUI charges to high-stakes felony cases across Arizona.

The results of that approach reflect the firms growth. Grand Canyon Law Group has more than doubled its team since 2023. We also plan to add to the team in the coming year. In 2025 alone, the firm provided legal representation to more than 900 new clients across the state. This scale of impact is one that not many firms in the Arizona criminal defense space can match.

Built for Growth, Without Losing the Client-First Model

Scaling a law firm without losing quality of representation is one of the hardest problems in legal services. Grand Canyon Law Group has tackled this head-on. In mid-2025, the firm purchased and full transformed a new Phoenix headquarters. This move unified its Mesa and Phoenix teams under one roof for the first time.

“Managing this level of growth has been our biggest challenge. This has also been our biggest achievement in many ways,” said Brittany Truszkowski, Chief Operating Officer of Grand Canyon Law Group. “We’ve built the systems, processes and team culture needed to scale responsibly. This has allowed us to grow without ever losing sight of the compassion, honesty and results our clients count on. Being a finalist alongside so many other strong Arizona companies is a great milestone to celebrate with our team.”

A Firm That Shows Up for Its Community

Trust isn’t built in the courtroom alone. Grand Canyon Law Group supports organizations throughout our community. These organizations include, ALS Arizona, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Feed My Starving Children, and the Mesa Marathon. In addition, the firm established the ASU Law Grand Canyon Criminal Defense Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes Arizona State University law students who are passionate about improving to the criminal justice system.

“Growth for us has never been about case volume. It’s about impact,” said Lish. “Over the next few years, our goal is to solidify Grand Canyon Law Group as Arizona’s preferred, trusted criminal defense law firm. To accomplish this, we are investing in top-tier legal talent, empowering our team, and strengthening our client-centered model that puts people first. Being alongside this year’s finalists just reinforces that we’re on the right track.”

Choosing a Trusted Criminal Defense Law Firm

>>>If you’re evaluating your options for a criminal defense attorney, look for the same things the Phoenix Business Journal recognized in Grand Canyon Law Group: real courtroom experience on both sides of the case, a track record of sustainable growth, and a genuine investment in the community the firm serves. That combination is what makes a trusted criminal defense law firm. This is an absolute honor to be a finalist among such an impressive group of Arizona businesses.
Learn more now about Grand Canyon Law Group.