About Us

The Firm’s roots run deep into Pinal County History, with its predecessor having been founded in 1950 by two former County Attorneys, R.J. “Brock” Ellis and Preston Sult. In 1959, Tom McCarville was hired by Brock Ellis in Eloy after Preston Sult’s death. Tom Practiced law with Mr. Ellis until 1961, when Mr. Ellis moved his practice to Phoenix, and Tom began his association with William A. Stanfield, who is from the same pioneer family for whom the Town of Stanfield is named. The association resulted in the formation of the firm of Stanfield & McCarville, which continued until 1986 when Bill Stanfield retired. In 2003 Tom McCarville retired as a partner in the firm and the firm became Cooper, Vasquez and Rueter, LLP.

Stephen R. Cooper and Garye L. Vasquez, were born and raised in Pinal County and come from pioneering families. Garye L. Vasquez retired from the Firm when he was appointed to the State of Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two in February of 2006. of 2006. Elizabeth Ryan Rueter is a partner in the Firm and is from a pioneering Chandler family. The members of Cooper & Rueter, L.L.P. recognize that our duty to the community extends beyond merely providing legal services. The firm continues to be very active in community and county affairs, having served as City Attorneys for almost every city in Pinal County. Present and past members have served on school boards, as an Appellate Court Judge, Superior Court Judges, Pinal County Attorney, Casa Grande City Council, District Chairman for Boy Scouts, Central Arizona College Foundation Board, Casa Grande Regional Medical Center Board, State Board of Medical Examiners, Against Abuse, Inc. Board of Directors, State Bar of Arizona Grievance Committee, Greater Casa Grande Economic Development Foundation, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Casa Grande Valley Historical Society, Boys and Girls Club of Casa Grande, Chairman United Way Fund Drive, and the list goes on.