Cave Creek selects new attorney at special meeting

By Jeff Wendt
Mail

The Town of Cave Creek unanimously selected Andrew Miller from the law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo to become the new town attorney at a special meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

Miller was selected over attorney Andrew McGuire of Gust Rosenfeld P.L.C. and Matthew Podracky of Pierce Coleman PLLC.

His annual cost to the town is not to exceed $180,000, subject to finalization and approval of the Professional Services Agreement.

Miller is set to replace outgoing Town Attorney Bill Sims, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Council member Dusty Rhoades, who made the motion to approve Miller, said he was the best fit for the town.

“I wasn’t there for the process, but talking with those who were there, he would reflect the best interests of the town,” Rhoades said.

Vice Mayor Kathryn Royer agreed with her colleagues.

“He (Miller) has exceptional skills as a municipal attorney,” Royer said.

According to Miller’s bio page on the law firm’s site, prior to joining Burch & Cracchiolo, Miller served as the Town Attorney for the Town of Paradise Valley for 22 years from 1998-2020.

Miller oversaw high quality growth and development that strictly adhered to the ordinances and zoning codes that set Paradise Valley apart from other municipalities in the Valley.

Miller guided residents, custom home builders, developers and business owners in the establishment and expansion of building projects including the Montelucia, Mountain Shadows, Sanctuary, Camelback Inn and Ritz-Carlton (Paradise Valley) resorts.

As Deputy City Attorney for the City of Peoria from 1990-1998, he crafted agreements with the Padres and Mariners related to Spring Training, including the initial 20-year use and development agreements, the Peoria stadium land acquisition and construction, stadium area rezoning for private development, and intergovernmental agreements related to financing of the Peoria stadium.

“This was an organized process,” Mayor Robert Morris said. “We couldn’t make a wrong decision here.

“He (Miller) was a Town Attorney for Peoria as well as Paradise Valley,” Morris added. “He has a strong business sense and has great negotiation skills.”

Miller received his Juris Doctor from Arizona State University in 1986 and his Bachelor of Science in political science, magna cum laude, also from ASU in 1983.

Miller also served as an intern in the Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, researching and drafting speeches for Chief Justice Warren Burger in 1982.

Jeff Wendt
Reporter | Phoenix/Cave Creek

jwendt@iniusa.org

Meet Jeff
Jeff Wendt started at Independent Newsmedia in January 2023, after 25 years working for Gannett and The Arizona Republic. Started as a high school sports scoretaker, worked up to reporting high school sports and then became an associate high school sports editor in 2002. Also worked in the Design Studio as a copy editor.

Community: Jeff serves on the Board of Elders at his local church.

Education: Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication

Random fact: Attended Game 2 of the 2001 World Series.

Hobbies: Playing video games (yes still the kid in me), watching reality TV, playing poker.