Zachary J. Thornley

Zachary J. Thornley

Trial Attorney

After working for a corporate defense firm for many years, Mr. Thornley believes that representation can be done better. When it comes to large corporate firms, you don’t always get what you pay for.

Large firms employ line attorneys who are paid salary. Then, in order to squeeze as much of that salary money out of the attorneys they load them up with an unbelievable amount of cases. You, as the client, are just another file added to a pile.

To give you a better idea of what you get from a big firm in Arizona consider this; the public defenders office only assigns roughly between 35 to 45 cases to the public defender attorneys. Big firms routinely assign 120 to 150 cases to their attorneys. It doesn’t take a genius to quickly figure out that you are better off with a public defender then you are spending your money with an overworked cold attorney.

With our firm, you get direct access to Mr. Thornley. You are not just a file in a pile. We care about helping you and our goal is to get you results.

Mr. Thornley has earned a reputation for successful representation of clients in a range of criminal matters. He has effectively guided clients through the most serious crimes including murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, and serious sex crimes to name a few. His representation of clients has included those facing misdemeanors up to serious felonies with possible life sentences. Mr. Thornley’s extensive practice includes first chair trial experience in court rooms throughout the State of Arizona.

Legal Experience

Mr. Thornley currently is representing clients in what has been termed the largest criminal prosecution in the history of the United States. He has appeared in Washington D.C. Federal District Court in the representation of “January 6th” clients.

Mr. Thornley also sued The Select Committee on the January 6th Attack on the Capital including Congressional members Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, Elizabeth Cheney regarding a Subpoena that was issued for his clients cell records and was successful in getting the committee to back down and withdraw the Subpoena.

In his first jury trial, Mr. Thornley represented a client who was facing Life in Prison. Mr. Thornley’s client was acquitted of all counts after a 3-week trial. During his time in law school, Mr. Thornley interned with Prosecutors in Gila Counties Dangerous Drugs division as well as with prosecutors of Avondale, Tolleson, and Buckeye where he prosecuted cases as an Arizona Supreme Court Certified Student. Mr. Thornley has successfully resolved a number of significantly serious felonies and has persuaded authorities not to pursue charges. Mr. Thornley has been effective in aggressively pursuing his client’s rights when a case is charged. Mr. Thornley has also been effective in representation of clients facing probation violations and restitution issues. In issues involving serious Sex crimes he has helped clients avoid lifetime probation and registration. Mr. Thornley has been successful in obtaining dismissals in many misdemeanor cases involving charges such as assault, disorderly conduct, criminal damage and domestic violence cases. Inevitably, when clients face charges for a crime or crimes they did not commit, Mr. Thornley has shown to be effective and aggressive in pursuing a not guilty outcome and in many instances have received directed verdicts when the state has failed to live up to their burden.

Over the years, Mr. Thornley’s training and understanding of law enforcement practices has led clients through sensitive government investigations. He has extensive experience with law enforcement agencies throughout the State of Arizona and dissecting issues that arise when law enforcement fails to conduct a thorough and ethical investigation.

Mr. Thornley has also held an active Real Estate License since 2013. He has been party to millions in purchases and sales. He has extensive experience in real estate transactions and has the expertise to know where and when problems may arise. Mr. Thornley also has experience with Home Owner’s Associations and the problems that may arise when dealing with these entities. Mr. Thornley has also assisted in property disputes and has assisted in successfully resolving a variety of property dispute issues.