Laura C. Giles focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, and has closed hundreds of transactions including stock acquisitions and divestitures, asset purchases and sales, mergers, and private equity and venture capital investments. She works with public and private companies in industries such as waste and environmental services, retail, business services, technology, education, fashion, and media, among others. She also assists businesses with joint ventures, reorganizations, branding, commercial agreements, and other general corporate matters, as well as with developing and implementing national business development strategies.
In the sports and entertainment world, Laura represents celebrities, influencers, professional athletes, and their businesses in strategic and commercial transactions. In this role, she negotiates significant social media and influencer agreements, sponsorship and endorsement deals, and appearance and other services agreements.
Laura leads the firm's Sports and Entertainment Initiative, and serves as Firmwide Hiring Partner.
Professional Highlights
Pro Bono Experience
Laura regularly provides pro bono counsel to non-profit organizations on mergers and corporate governance matters. She also volunteers with Wills for Heroes, a program that provides essential estate planning documents to first responders, and represents clients in Ballard Spahr’s BASE program, which provides pro bono legal services to student entrepreneurs and their startup ventures.
Judicial Externships
The Hon. Susan R. Bolton, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, Phoenix
Professional Activities
Association of Corporate Growth — Arizona Chapter
Sports Lawyers Association
State Bar of Arizona, Business Law Section
Recognition & Accomplishments
AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Chambers USA, "Up and Coming," Corporate/M&A (Arizona), 2023, 2024; Band 4, 2025
The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Phoenix), 2023-2026; Commercial Transactions/UCC Law (Phoenix), 2025, 2026
Board Memberships & Community Service
Arizona State University Alumni Association
Member of the Board of Directors, Member of the Executive Committee and Chief Counsel, Visit Phoenix
Member of the Board of Directors, Children's Museum of Phoenix
Credentials
Education
University of San Diego School of Law (J.D. 2010)
Comments Editor for the San Diego Law Review, Executive Editor for the Journal of Contemporary Legal Issues, CALI Award, Law of American Democracy
Arizona State University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2006)
Admissions
Arizona
U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona