About the Author

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Mike Widener was appointed to the Arizona State Liquor Board by Governor Ducey in 2017. He has practiced law in Arizona for 35 years, where he primarily counsels clients in real property, land use, contracts, and in business formation, maintenance, and decoupling matters. He has represented potential MBE landlords owning industrial, commerce park, and retail properties. Author of more than 20 articles in academic and professional journals on property and land use legal topics, Mike is an adjunct professor at Arizona Summit Law School. He also teaches continuing legal education seminars, including on the topic of property law aspects of controlled substances. Mike is a certified specialist in real estate law, regulated by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of Arizona. Mike recovered compensation for innocent owners in federal and state real property civil forfeiture proceedings when the "innocent owner" defense could be applied. Mike and his wife own investment properties in Arizona and Florida. He is a Zoning Adjustment Hearing Officer for the City of Phoenix. Mike counsels law firms that advise clients on MBE-related property and land use matters.