Sterling Peterson

Sterling is a partner at Denton Peterson Dunn. He focuses his practice on general and commercial litigation, helping his clients (both individuals and businesses) prevent and solve business disputes. Sterling assists his clients in all aspects of their business, such as resolving contract disputes, drafting appropriate documents, assessing partner disputes, evaluating mismanagement of the business, assessing breaches of fiduciary duty and business ownership disputes, drafting and analyzing non-compete agreements, evaluating disclosure of confidential information, reviewing failed business deals, and handling various other business-related issues that arise in the day-to-day operations of a company.

Sterling takes great care in proactively counseling individuals and businesses to run their business in a manner that avoids unnecessary litigation, but he also has significant experience in navigating the complex sea of business litigation that is sometimes unavoidable. Sterling’s litigation experience includes handling proceedings and trials in Superior Court, Justice Court, Federal District Court, administrative tribunals, and participating in mediations, arbitrations, and countless depositions.

Before joining the firm, Sterling practiced at Jennings, Strouss & Salmon in Phoenix and gained years of “big-firm experience,” which provided valuable knowledge and skills he still applies to his practice today.

Some recent matters handled by Sterling include:

• Successfully represented a business owner in defeating a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by his former disgruntled business partner.
• Successfully procured a settlement for $250,000 for a business owner who had to sue a vendor for breach of contract for failure to deliver goods.
• Negotiated a favorable six-figure partnership buy-out on behalf of minority interest holder in a small business who was being shut-out by one of the other business partners.
• Won summary judgment for previous business owner against the buyer of the business who later failed to meet its obligations under the Business – Purchase Agreement.
• Negotiated favorable settlement in a lawsuit between two (ongoing) business partners.  The settlement involved unusual provisions that requires the partners to remain in business together, but to work cooperatively while the business is being sold. 
• Advising multiple clients through the “business-divorce” process, including strategical steps to take before the lawsuit and during the lawsuit, as well as how to continue with operations during the ongoing dispute.
• Counseling with numerous clients related to a wide-range of legal matters, including contract reviews/drafting, business formations, partner disputes, non-compete issues, employer/employee issues, and any other number of legal matters related to individuals and businesses.

Education

J.D. cum laude, Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor Law School, 2000
B.A.E., summa cum laude, English-Education, Arizona State University, 1997

Bar Admissions

Arizona – All Courts
U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona

Representative Cases

Levinson v. Jarrett, 207 Ariz. 472 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004).
B2B CFO Partners v. Kaufman, 787 F. Supp. 1002 (Dist. Ct. Ariz. 2011)
Hoag v. French, 238 Ariz. 118 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2015)

Sterling is a native Arizonan and has lived in the Valley of the Sun his entire life. He enjoys spending time with his wife, children and extended family and enjoys nearly any outdoor activity. He also has an unhealthy appreciation of chocolate chip cookies and is forever in search of finding the “perfect” chocolate chip cookie.

Client Testimonials