Overview

From the start of Tom Curzon’s four-decade-long career at Osborn Maledon, he established himself as a curious, business-minded attorney, confident, and participant in Arizona’s start-up ecosystem. He has been integral to the growth of the firm’s business practice and has counseled hundreds of start-ups through their entire business evolution, amassing unparalleled wisdom accompanying businesses at every stage of their growth. He continues to contribute his deep legal and business experience to firm clients, regularly advising colleagues at the firm. 

Tom is a member of the Board and former Chairman of the Board of StartupAZ Foundation. He is a former member of Greater Phoenix Leadership and a former Board Member and past Chairman of Invest Southwest. He has been a regular panelist in the Arizona Commerce Authority’s (ACA’s) Venture Ready program and as a longtime judge (at each level) in the ACA’s AZ Innovation Challenge. 

He received the Arizona Technology Council’s William F. McWhorter Community Service award in 2015, which is awarded at the annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation, and recognizes an individual or organization that contributes to Arizona’s technology industry “through relentless community involvement, leadership, visibility and excellence in economic development activity.” 

Tom also serves as President of the Executive Board of the Grand Canyon Council, B.S.A., and on the Board of Advisors of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Kansas University, the Board of Directors of ExsoMed Corporation, and a number of advisory boards, including Hivewyre, LLC, Wealth Venture Partners, Inc, FAMIGO, Inc. (fka Bravo, Inc.), and Lighthouse P.E.

Awards

  • Best Lawyers®, Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 1995-2023
  • Southwest Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities & Corporate Finance 2007-2023
  • Phoenix Best Lawyers®, Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyer of the Year, 2011 and 2015
  • Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Corporate/M&A, 2003-2022
  • Phoenix Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Corporate Law, 2020
  • Phoenix Best Lawyers®, Corporate Lawyer of the Year, 2009, 2013, 2018 and 2020
  • Grand Canyon Council, B.S.A., Community Impact of the Year Award, 2019
  • AZ Business Magazine, Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, 2018
  • Featured, 20 Names to Know-Startups, Phoenix Business Journal, August 25, 2017
  • Southwest Super Lawyers, Top 50 Arizona Attorneys, 2007-2010 and 2016-2017
  • William F. McWhorter Community Service Award from the Arizona Technology Council, 2015
  • Centers of Influence Award: Honoring Arizona’s Most Influential Accountants, Bankers & Lawyers, 2008
  • Best of the Bar, Business Journal, Corporate and Securities Transactions, 2004

Activities

Professional Activities

  • Board, StartupAZ Foundation, 2016-present, Chairman, 2018-2022
  • Judge, AZ Innovation Challenge, Arizona Commerce Authority
  • Member, Greater Phoenix Leadership, 2017-2020
  • American Bar Foundation, Elected Fellow, 2020
  • Committee, Sponsor Committee ChairmanTiE Arizona, Charter Member, 2009-2015
  • MIT Enterprise Forum, Member Chapter Executive 2009-2014
  • Invest Southwest Capital Conference, Chairman, Executive Planning Committee, 2006-2007; Board of Directors, 2006-2016
  • Arizona Technology Council (formerly AZSOFT.net and Arizona Software Association), Board of Directors, 1997-2004, Member, 1991-2008
  • Arizona Angel Investment Conference, Member, Executive Committee, 2004; Vice Chairman, 2005
  • Arizona Venture Capital Conference, Member, Planning Committee, 1994-2006
  • Arizona Technology Incubator, Board of Directors, 1995-2001
  • The Enterprise Network, President, 1994-1995, Board of Directors, 1989-1997
  • Arizona Association for Corporate Growth, 1994-1996
  • Arizona Business Alliance for Entrepreneurs, Chairman, 1994-1996
  • GSPED Town Hall, Planning Committee Chair, 1993; Scottsdale Equity Conference, Steering Committee, 1993
  • State Bar of Arizona Subcommittee on Revising the Arizona Corporate Code, 1989-1993
  • Arizona Town Hall, Member, 1993; Conference on NAFTA, Delegate, October 1992
  • ASPED Coalition and Executive Committee, Legal Counsel and Secretary, 1991-1992; Cluster Coordinator, 1992
  • Arizona Small Business United, Director, Legal Advisor and Secretary, 1991-1993

Community Activities

  • President, Executive Board, Grand Canyon Council B.S.A. 2021-Present
  • Advisory Board, University of Kansas College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 2013-
  • 4th Degree Black Belt, Taekwon-Do (ITF)
  • Troop Committee Chairman, Troop 644, Boy Scouts of America, 1999-2009

Insights

Publications

  • Arizona attorneys see continued M&A activity for state in good or bad economies
    Phoenix Business Journal, August 24, 2018
  • My View: Generosity, inclusion drive Arizona’s startups, Phoenix Business Journal, August 25, 2017
  • Featured, 20 Names to Know-Startups, Phoenix Business Journal, August 25, 2017
  • Presenter, PHX Startup Week 2016: Generosity in Startup Land-It is Not Just About Doing Good
  • Webinar Panelist, Angel Capital Association, “Investing Strategies of Highly Experienced Angels, April 2016
  • Arizona’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, November 11, 2010
  • I Like Working with People Whose Hair is on Fire, Southwest Super Lawyers, May 2009
  • Author: Arizona Legal Forms, Business Organizations (Corporations), Volumes 8 and 9, West Publishing, Second Edition, 2001-2002
  • Presenter: The Good, the Bad or the Ugly: Crowd Funding Update (2012 Arizona Entrepreneurial Conference)
  • Presenter: Ridin’ the Storm Out-Some Thoughts on the Angel and Venture Markets in Arizona (2011 Arizona State Bar Convention)
  • Presenter: Corporate Governance Issues in Our Troubled Times (2009 Arizona State Bar Convention)
  • Presenter: Lecture on Hot Topics in Securities Laws (W.P. Carey School of Business MBA Program, 2004-2006)
  • Presenter: Show Me the Money: Lecture on Intellectual Property in Business Models (Thunderbird, the Garvin School of International Management, 2004)
  • Presenter: Venture Capital Financing Recent Trends and Developments (Enterprise Network Business Seminar Series, 2003)
  • Presenter: Venture Capital Financing-Standard Terms and Recent Developments (Financial Executives Institute, 2002)
  • Presenter: Disjointed Ventures (State Bar Convention, 2002)
  • Presenter: Getting Ready for the Dance: Preparing to Raise Venture Capital-A Coaching Primer (The Seminar Group, 2001)
  • Presenter: Venture Capital Financing-Term Sheet and Purchase Agreement Issues (The Seminar Group, 2001)