Meet the Team

At Conant & Associates, PLC, people are recognized as the firm's greatest asset and the foundation of its success. This commitment to those who make up the Conant & Associates team is reflected in the core values that are put into practice every day: inclusiveness, mutual respect, teamwork, and trust.

Conant & Associates, PLC, recognizes that people perform at their best when they are given: challenging and rewarding work, a dynamic and creative work environment, support for success and a balance between work, and personal commitments. Commitment to our people is part of the firm's strength.

Paul Conant, attorney

Mr. Conant is the managing member of the Conant & Associates, PLC, law firm in Phoenix, Arizona. He has practiced exclusively in the areas of business, commercial and securities litigation since his admission to the State Bar of Arizona in 1989.

After undergraduate study at Western Michigan University, foreign study at Exeter College- Oxford University, and law school at the University of Michigan, Mr. Conant began practicing law in 1989 with his admission to the Arizona bar. In June of 2010, Conant & Associates, PLC, was formed.

Mr. Conant is AV rated by his peers under the Martindale-Hubbell rating system, indicating that he has achieved the highest ability levels and best reputations for ethical practice possible.

Mr. Conant is a trial lawyer, handling trials, arbitration matters and mediations for clients in Arizona in both state and federal court. He is experienced in matters involving injunctive relief, as well as both jury and bench trials. He has handled arbitration matters before the American Arbitration Association (including its Center for International Dispute Resolution), the American Health Lawyers Association, JAMS, the NASD, FINRA, and the NYSE.

As part of his securities litigation practice, Mr. Conant has represented clients in regulatory matters before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, New York Stock Exchange, FINRA and the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Mr. Conant is a past Arizona Bar Convention speaker and has been a speaker to lawyers and other professionals on topics such as ethics, legal privileges, and various substantive legal issues within his practice areas. His clients range from individuals to entrepreneurial businesses to large firms depending on the matter involved.

Melissa Emmel, attorney

Ms. Emmel attended Arizona State University, graduating Cum Laude from the College of Business in 1997, and graduated from the ASU College of Law in 2004 with a Certificate in Law, Science and Technology with a Specialization in Intellectual Property Law. Ms. Emmel was an active participant in the Center for the Study of Law, Science and Technology, earning the designation of Center Scholar and published an article entitled "GPS: Saving Lives or Invading Them?" She was also a Member of Entrepreneur 2004: Student Legal Team, Legal Alchemy, co-authoring the Legal Alchemy Primer on Intellectual Property; and was awarded second prize in the Nathan Burkan Memorial Writing Competition sponsored by (ASCAP) for her paper on Copyright and the Sovereign Nation of the Native American. While earning her degree from Arizona State University's College of Law, Ms. Emmel also earned various scholarships and the designation of Pedrick Scholar.

Ms. Emmel represents clients in both the state and federal court systems as well as arbitration forums regarding matters of officer/director liability, business contract disputes as well as intellectual property ownership rights, licensing, and infringement claims. She is also experienced in intellectual property licensing, transfer and registration, representing clients in matters such as licensing and transfer of copyright, patent, trademark, publicity/persona rights, and trade secrets.

Kelly Naughton, Office Administrator- Paralegal

Ms. Naughton is the Office Administrator of Conant & Associates, PLC and a civil litigation Paralegal to Mr. Conant. She has been a part of Mr. Conant's litigation team since 2001.

After obtaining her Paralegal degree in 1995 from the American Institute, Ms. Naughton worked in family law for three years. She also owned and operated an alternative dispute resolution firm for a number of years, and provided freelance paralegal services to a number of Phoenix based law firms. She has previously provided expert testimony on matters involving Arizona paralegal standards and practices concerning civil procedure.

Before her legal career, she worked as an office manager and loan processor and closer for GMAC Mortgage, and has many years of experience in the mortgage and banking industry. Her additional educational background includes course work at the University of Phoenix and DeVry University specializing in information technology. Her interests and activities include music, sports (professional football), outdoor activities and family.

Lynne Bebout, Executive Legal Assistant

Ms. Bebout is an Executive Legal Assistant with the firm and has been a part of Mr. Conant's litigation team since 2001.

Lynne Bebout brings with her many years of experience in management and administrative support services. Her background includes twenty years of executive support positions in large corporations in both the public and private sector. For seven years she served as administrator a local training and organizational development consulting company, where her duties included human resources, marketing, product development and all phases of startup and continuing business operation.

As a part-time staff member, Lynne is able to enjoy world travel and working on her bucket list in her spare time.