History

Leo Beus and Paul Gilbert, having met in 1963 during missions in the Netherlands, leveraged their shared experiences and legal expertise to establish Beus Gilbert PLLC in 1982 after working together at Jennings Strouss & Salmon PLC in the late 1970s. From its inception, the Phoenix-based firm distinguished itself through an unconventional approach. Over the decades, Beus Gilbert PLLC had grown into one of the most successful and traditional law firms in the Western United States, securing $4 billion in jury verdicts and settlements. The firm has maintained a low-profile office on 44th Street in Phoenix and a selective client base.

The firm is renowned for its high-profile cases and the contrasting styles of its co-founders. Leo Beus, an aggressive litigator, has won notable cases such as a $450 million lawsuit for Brigham Young University against Pfizer and a $338 million verdict against PricewaterhouseCoopers. Meanwhile, Paul Gilbert excels in zoning and land-use law, significantly influencing real estate developments, including projects for the LDS Church. Their differing approaches extended to mentoring young attorneys, with Beus emphasizing oral advocacy skills and problem-solving without seeking credit, while Gilbert’s practice demands charm and collaboration.

The firm, Beus Gilbert, underwent significant changes over the decades. In 2018 Patrick J. McGroder III joined the firm and became a named partner a year later to form Beus Gilbert McGroder.

Patrick J. McGroder III, who has represented the Granite Mountain Hotshots firefighters, wounded Phoenix police officer Jason Schechterle and others, joined the firm Oct. 12. Mr. McGroder has spent the last four decades fighting for clients with catastrophic personal injuries. 

“Pat is remarkable, not just for being one of the best trial attorneys in Arizona history, but he is a social architect often turning his high-profile, high-settlement or verdicts into causes for major reforms. I am so pleased to combine his talents with everything we are already doing here at Beus Gilbert and bring his talents into these national complex and high-stakes cases where we are taking on major institutions and being awarded sizable judgments and recoveries for our clients.” – Leo Beus.

Mr. McGroder also brought his son, Patrick McGroder IV to the Beus Gilbert team. A graduate of Holy Cross and a former public defender Patrick McGroder IV quickly emerged as a rising trial attorney and has represented more than 350 clients in his legal career.

Following the passing of co-founder Leo Beus in November 2022 and Paul Gilbert’s departure in 2023 to start his own practice, Gilbert Blilie PLLC, the firm has rebranded as Beus O’Connor McGroder in 2024. Patrick McGroder III and Mark O’Connor, alongside Leo’s daughter-in-law and former sex and major crimes prosecutor, Megan Beus, now lead the firm, which has earned a reputation for specializing in catastrophic injury, wrongful death cases, and commercial litigation. 

The firm, ranked 29th on the Business Journal’s Largest Phoenix-Area Law Firms list, is known for securing over 3 billion dollars in settlements, including high-profile cases such as a lawsuit against Ford Motor Company and anti-hazing legislation following a fatal incident involving an Arizona State University student.

Beus O’Connor McGroder remains deeply committed to client advocacy and social impact, continuing the legacy of its founders. Megan Beus, who joined the firm in 2018, aims to honor Leo Beus’s meticulous and powerful approach to law; Mark O’Connor, who also joined the firm in 2018, is one of America’s top trial attorneys fighting for his clients nationwide also donated his skills and time to represent victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks; with Patrick McGroder III emphasizing the firm’s dedication to representing victims and promoting social justice. The firm maintains a strong focus on client service This unwavering commitment to client advocacy and social justice distinguishes Beus O’Connor McGroder as a leading firm in the legal community.