Meet Our Attorneys
Meet Our Attorneys
A native of Arizona David graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University in 2004 and obtained his juris doctorate from the Oklahoma City School of Law in 2009. David was admitted to the Arizona State Bar in 2009 and since that time has represented builders, general contractors, developers, real estate agents, and owners in construction and real estate matters. David has significant experience in every phase of litigation, including motion practice, mediation, arbitration, and bench trials.
In addition, David has published extensively on real estate and electronic discovery topics, including over a dozen articles that have been cited, commented upon, and quoted at length by leading law reviews, text books, and trade publications. David’s oft-cited article, Accounting for the Costs of Electronic Discovery, was the first peer-reviewed publication to break down the costs of E-Discovery. The leading e-discovery text book reprinted four pages of that article as the introduction to chapter six.
David is also a sought-after speaker for civil procedure, evidence, real estate, and electronic discovery topics and has presented for the National Business Institute, the American Bar Association (Mid-year conference), the Scottsdale Bar Association and others. David has also prepared presentations on the above topics for real estate groups, banks, and other trade associations.
In his spare time, David can be found playing uber driver for his four growing children in local chapters of the Girl Scouts and pee-wee football!
Founding Partner
Mark Horne was named one of the top 100 lawyers in Arizona in 2021 by AZBig Media. Mark is a native of Phoenix, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Northern Arizona University in 2004 and his juris doctorate from California Western, and was admitted to the Arizona State Bar in 2012. Mark is an experienced fierce litigator and trial attorney who has successfully argued before the Arizona Court of Appeals, the Arizona Supreme Court, The United States District Court for the District of Arizona, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mark’s practice is primarily related to litigation involving all aspects of residential and commercial real estate matters and medical malpractice.
Having successfully first-chaired multiple jury trials with a winning record, Mark is a preeminent trial attorney with extensive knowledge and experience. Mark is also one of Arizona’s preeminent attorneys with regards to emergency relief and provisional remedies such as preliminary injunctions, temporary restraining orders and receivership.
In his spare time Mark enjoys spending time playing with his two puppies Martie and Lis “Penny” Pendens and international travel.
Supervising Partner
Justin Fouts, Esq.
Partner
Justin Fouts is a Partner with the Degnan Horne litigation practice section. Justin graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration. Following this, he attended the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, earning his Juris Doctorate in 2018. Justin is an accomplished litigator who has successfully handled multiple trials and arbitrations earning judgments in his clients favor. He prides himself in vigorously representing the interests of his clients in any legal challenges they may face, while also trying to find practical solutions to resolve their disputes. While Justin has successfully represented clients in a broad range of areas, his practice focuses on contractual disputes, real estate disputes, and personal injury.
Outside of his law practice, you can find Justin spending time with his wife, twin daughters, and two dogs on a walk around town or hiking one of Phoenix’s beautiful mountains. When Justin happens to find a weekend day to himself, you’re likely to find him enjoying one of Phoenix’s many premier golf courses.
Sarah Langtry, Esq.
Senior Associate
Sarah Langtry is a Senior Associate who joined Degnan Horne in November 2023. Sarah received her J.D. in 2020 from the University of Tulsa College of Law, where she served as the president of Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity, Student Bar Association delegate, and staff editor of the Tulsa Law Review.
Sarah was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 2020, and gained experience as an associate attorney in Kansas at a title insurance defense firm, where she represented clients in various residential real estate matters. Sarah has been a member of the Arizona Bar since May of 2023 and has worked in Arizona on various insurance defense litigation in the areas or personal injury and construction defect.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys playing tennis, walking her two dogs, and watching the Chiefs.
Francis Espiritu, ESQ.
Senior Associate
Francis Espiritu joined Degnan Horne as a Senior Associate in 2025. Francis obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Davis in 2013, and his Juris Doctor from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2018. Francis is licensed to practice law in Arizona since 2019, and the US District Court of Arizona since 2023.
Prior to joining Degnan Horne, Francis gained experience in insurance defense, with a primary focus in construction defect, personal injury, and catastrophic injury. In addition, Francis has experience in medical malpractice defense, commercial litigation, and family law. Francis has also successfully argued before the Arizona Court of Appeals.
Francis grew up in Fremont, California, a Silicon Valley suburb. In his free time, Francis enjoys traveling to new places with his wife and stepdaughter, supporting his favorite Bay Area Sports teams (49ers, Giants, and Warriors) and Sun Devil Athletics, and cooking.
Jonathan Klein, ESQ.
Associate
Jonathan Klein is an associate attorney at Degnan Horne. Jonathan is an Arizona native who graduated from Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in business entrepreneurship and a minor in Spanish. Jonathan obtained his law degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
Jonathan believes legal issues can be solved in innovative and creative ways. He takes pride in listening to each client’s unique and personal story to ensure the best outcome possible. Confidentiality and trust are imperative to the attorney-client relationship.
In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys cheering for the Arizona Cardinals and managing his fantasy football team. He also plays the drums and enjoys a friendly game of chess.
Angie Manion
Law Clerk
Angie Manion previously worked as a research assistant at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law studying the soft and hard law governance efforts of mental health applications and brain computer interfaces. This work resulted in publications in the Journal of AI and Regulation (AIRE) and an upcoming publication in Jurimetrics. Angie Manion received her JD from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in 2024, following her dual undergraduate degrees in Education and Political Science from California Lutheran University.
Brandon Texido
Law Clerk
Brandon Texido is a native of Buffalo, New York, and a graduate of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. More commonly referred to by his nickname Tex, Brandon received concurrent degrees in a JD and a Master’s in Sports Law and Business from Arizona State University. Brandon has an extensive background in education and prioritizes ensuring that clients fully understand all the options available. In his spare time, Brandon is an avid reader and writer, he trains jiu-jitsu, and he is a huge fan of the Buffalo Bills. Brandon is also a former professional magician and occasionally still performs at events.
Kristine Berry
Supervising Paralegal
Kristine is our Supervising Paralegal who joined Degnan Horne in 2021. Kristine obtained her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in 2007 in Criminology. Kristine has over 26 years of experience in law firms as a legal assistant/paralegal, with an extensive background in civil litigation, commercial and consumer bankruptcy, bankruptcy adversary proceedings, commercial and consumer real estate matters, and foreclosures and trustee sales. Kristine grew up in FL, and moved to the valley of the Sun in 96, and in her spare time enjoys trying new places in the local ‘foodie’ scene with her husband and being the ‘cool aunt’ for all her nieces and nephews who buys them all the toys their parents don’t want them to have!
Sara Sanchez
Senior Paralegal
Sara graduated with honors from the Academy of Business College in 1997 where her focus of studies were in Administrative, Secretarial/Paralegal Services, Law and Legal Studies. She worked at the Maricopa County Superior Court as a Bailiff and then as a Judicial Assistant. Since leaving the Superior Court she has worked as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal for over 23 years, with her background being in default services, foreclosures, trustee sales, residential and commercial real estate, construction, civil litigation and family law. A native to Arizona, in her spare time Sara enjoys chasing after her three growing children and spending time with her husband.
Ashley Jaime
Paralegal
Bilingual in English and Spanish, Ashley has a strong background in assisting with complex cases, working with diverse communities, and advocating on behalf of others. Ashley brings care, integrity, and a commitment to delivering reliable support. Prior to joining Degnan Horne, she worked as a Managing Legal Assistant for a nonprofit immigration law firm, where she assisted attorneys in advocating for and representing unaccompanied minors in removal proceedings. Ashley graduated from the California State University of Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and a minor in Communication Studies.
Cassandra Marquez
Receptionist/Legal Assistant
Cassandra Marquez is our fantastic receptionist/legal assistant since 2021. It is Cassandras friendly voice and warm demeanor that greets anyone who calls Degnan Horne. Cassandra thrives in a high demand, fast-paced litigation firm, has an incredible knack for learning, and is an integral part of what keeps our firm running so smoothly. In her spare time Cassandra enjoys experimenting with new culinary baking delights and home-made crafts, and playing with her two quickly growing-puppies!
Michael Stepaniuk, ESQ.
Associate
Michael joined Degnan Law Group in January 2025. He has been actively practicing law for nine years since graduating law school (3rd in his class). He attended college in Canada before relocating to Arizona for law school. Michael has specialized in civil, family, landlord/tenant, and bankruptcy law/litigation. In his spare time he enjoys golfing, playing with his two golden retrievers – aptly named Bogie and Birdie – and his cat Sox.
