Labor LawBIOS
DAVID LUJAN
David Lujan is Managing Partner in The Foster Group’s Tempe, Arizona office. David focuses on education law, employment matters, public policy issues, and a variety of other matters given his diverse and rich background. David is native Arizonan, and earned both his Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Law Degree from Arizona State University. He also currently serves as state senator representing District 15.
Prior to joining The Foster Group, David served three terms in the Arizona House of Representatives representing central Phoenix and was the House Minority Leader. In 2010, David was a candidate for Arizona Attorney General. He also served for eight years as a member of the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board, including two years as the Board President.
David was an Assistant Attorney General where he successfully represented the State of Arizona on a variety of public education issues including serving as the State’s attorney for a $1.4 billion school construction program and on the Open Meeting Law Enforcement Team. David also worked as an attorney for the National Labor Relations Board and as the attorney for a non-profit organization which provides legal services to help children who are victims of abuse. He is co-author of the book “Child Advocacy 101” which examines the child protection systems in America.
David is the recipient of the 2010 Association of Family and Conciliation Courts Public Policy Award, the 2009 National Association of Social Workers Legislator of the Year Award, and the 2009 Greater Phoenix Child Abuse Prevention Council's Cherish the Children Award in Media/Public Policy. He received the 2009 Cesar Chavez Continuing the Legacy Award from the Latino Law Student Association of William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2008, he received the "Golden Apple Award" from the AZ Parents for Education in recognition for his continued support for public education, the 2006 Arizona Students Association’s Legislator of the Year Award, and the Arizona Business and Education Coalition’s Legislative Partner Award. He is also a volunteer attorney coach for the Central High School mock trial team.
When not working, David enjoys spending time with Joey, whom he has served as guardian to for several years. Joey is now off to college, and David cherishes their time together.
KRISTEN FOSTER
Kristen Foster focuses her practice on labor and employment, trust and estates, education and special education law, family law, and media relations. Kristen’s practice is unique in that many of her cases have covered many of these practice areas, giving her the ability to handle very difficult and sensitive matters to attain the best results for her clients.
On the education side, Kristen has assisted private, public, and charter schools in all aspects of administration – from obtaining and certifying funding, to disciplinary and enrollment issues, to special education matters and litigation.
Kristen has also assisted families in protecting the most valuable assets that they have – their children and each other. On the proactive side, Kristen assists families and individuals in preparing wills, trusts, and estate planning documents that make sure that their financial and very personal interests (such as child custody) are protected. In a different realm, though serving the same goal, Kristen represents parents in divorce and child custody matters – again to preserve and protect the families she represents.
Kristen has also represented corporations, public entities, and individuals in employment claims. On the defense side, Kristen has assisted clients to defeat discrimination and retaliation matters – in all areas. And, she has also assisted individuals in negotiating executive agreements and successfully asserting their civil rights on such matters. Kristen also has experience with the ADA, FMLA, FLSA, Title VII, ADEA, and both Arizona and Indiana employment state laws.
Prior to establishing The Foster Group, Kristen was in private practice for several years, served as a law clerk, and was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arizona, representing Child Protective Services.
Kristen is the co-founder of a non-profit dedicated to helping kids with special needs. She has served on the Board (and recently as President) for Xavier College Preparatory Foundation, and served on the Board of Directors for Mountain Park Health Center Foundation.
Most recently, she announced her Congressional Bid. Kristen's Hoosier roots go back generations in Indiana's Sixth Congressional District. Her philosophy is simple. It's what Kristen calls “The Dinner Table Test.” If the decision wouldn't fly at your dinner table, it shouldn't for the government. To listen to an interview on NPR visit the Indiana Public Radio's News Blog.
LAUREN ELROD
Lauren Elrod is a partner with The Foster Group, and her practice focuses on employment matters. Lauren has assisted clients of all sizes (from national corporations to small businesses and individuals) in handling day-to-day employment matters. She advises and represents clients with respect to compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws, from the administrative stage to personnel hearings and litigation. She defends clients in federal and state discrimination and retaliation claims and also represents clients before government agencies and departments in administrative grievance proceedings. Lauren counsels clients on their everyday HR needs, providing substantive legal and practical advice in an effort to develop positive and productive work environments and to avoid potential claims.
In addition, Lauren has assisted executives and individuals in negotiating severance packages and pursuing individual claims against current and former employers.
Prior to joining The Foster Group, Lauren served as general counsel for a regional development company. In that capacity, in addition to handling any employment matters, Lauren assisted in making certain the legal issues were the least of the business’s concern. And that’s what all of us at The Foster Group are committed to doing for all of our clients.
KEVIN GOFF
I grew up in a small, rural Arkansas town where the local "county seat lawyers" were true community leaders--people whom others turned to for all types of advice, whether personal, financial, legal or otherwise. In addition, they were active in all types of other community-service organizations and were regular speakers to my Boy Scout troop and 4-H Club. Consequently, I always looked up to them and wanted to follow their examples when I grew up--to become a lawyer and a trusted advisor. Now I am able to do that--I help people address their problems through sound legal as well as practical advice.
I enjoy hiking (the Flatiron in the Lost Dutchman State Park is a favorite), running, reading (mostly economics and science books and articles), and watching television (House is a favorite). Kevin serves as Of Counsel to The Foster Group, and practices in Arizona, Nevada, and Massachusetts.
JACK LUGAR
Jack Lugar is a native Hoosier who returned to Indiana after spending 13 years working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. He concentrates his practice in real estate, business, and entertainment law and works with a diverse group of clients including borrowers, developers, investors, employers, buyers and sellers of real estate, and entertainers.
Jack recently announced his congressional bid for Indiana’s 5th District. Jack, a native Hoosier, is a true conservative who is committed to his principles. He is deeply committed to his community and serving the people in Indiana. More information can be found at Lugar for Congress.
Jack has always brought his principles, passion, and work ethic to his professional life and community. Jack understands the small business owner. He has been fortunate enough to have his own successes in business, and knows how to effectively operate one. During these difficult economic times, Jack has managed to build and grow a successful real estate brokerage firm in Lugar Real Estate, LLC – and was selected in 2011 as a Five Star Real Estate Agent as seen in Indianapolis Monthly Magazine.
Jack has taken his commitment to smaller government to the streets in supporting and championing grass root community projects. Jack currently sits on the Board of, and is an active participant with, Henry’s Hope. This non-profit provides for children with life threatening illnesses. He is also the inspiration for Project: Create, developing artistic educational resources for at-risk youth. Jack believes in, and is committed to, private outreach to solve many of our problems.
He is a member of the Indiana State Bar and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. He is also an active member of the American Bar Association, Indianapolis Bar Association, and Indiana State Bar Association.
Jack graduated from Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis with the distinction of being selected to the Order of the Barristers. He holds an M.A. in Media Management from Regent University and a B.A. in Communication Studies from Taylor University.
Jack possesses an active real estate broker’s license and is a member of the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors and National Association of Realtors. In addition, he is a member of the Writers Guild of America and wrote for prime time television on the FOX sitcom “Wanda At Large.” He has received awards for his writing from entities such as Warner Bros., ABC/Disney, Slamdance, and Scriptapalooza. In 2010, Jack published his first book, The Starving Artist’s Diet.
Jack has taught as an adjunct professor at Taylor University, his alma mater, on the topic of new media and the law, and offers public seminars focusing on story development, screenwriting, and social media marketing. Jack and his wife of 20 years, Elisabeth, have three children; Callista, Ethan, and Conrad. They are active members of Bridgeway Community Church in Fishers, Indiana.
