Meet
The Team
Meet The Team
Jason E. Smith – ESQ.
Partner, Smith & Wamsley, PLLC
Certified Specialist in Real Estate Law by the State Bar of Arizona
Fellow, College of Community Association Lawyers
Jason Smith is a founding partner of Smith & Wamsley, PLLC and a State Bar of Arizona Certified Specialist in Real Estate Law. With 20 years of experience advising community associations and property owners, Jason has become a trusted voice in Arizona community association and real estate law. Jason has been inducted as a Fellow in the College of Community Association Lawyers, an honor awarded to fewer than 200 attorneys nationwide who have demonstrated significant commitment and leadership in this field.
Jason began his legal career in 2001 as a construction and real estate attorney in Indiana. He moved to Tucson in 2003 where he continued his general real estate practice before joining the Phoenix firm then known as Carpenter Hazlewood in 2006 where he initially focused on insurance defense litigation for community associations. In 2012, he relocated to Tucson to lead and grow Carpenter Hazlewood’s Southern Arizona office. Nearly a decade later, Jason and his longtime colleague Kaycee Wamsley launched Smith & Wamsley to better serve their clients with a more agile and locally grounded approach. The firm has grown steadily since — now operating from offices in both Tucson and Phoenix.
Jason’s practice includes representing community associations, residential and commercial landlords, developers, and individual property owners in a wide range of legal matters — from enforcement and assessment collections to transactional work and complex litigation. He also advises clients in related areas including employment law and personal injury.
He is known for his strategic thinking, practical guidance, and clarity in communication — a skill showcased in his popular weekly newsletter, Friday Fragments, which breaks down legal issues for board members and community managers in a way that’s concise, engaging, and accessible.
Originally from the Midwest, Jason has called Arizona home since 2003. He loves to spend time outdoors with his family enjoying the mountains and clear blue skies that originally drew him here.
Jason E. Smith – ESQ.
- Gelb v. Department of Fire | 225 P.3d 515 (App. 2010), declaratory judgment action finding administrative hearing process violated separation of powers clause in Arizona’s constitution
- DiFrank v. Ventana Vista Condominium | C20143404, obtained defense verdict for condominium and management company in a $2M mold damages case
- Sandoval v. Red Adobe Pass Homeowners Ass’n | C20163673, obtained defense verdict on $500,000 claims of trespass and diminution of property value
- Chula Vista Homeowners Ass’n v. Irwin, 245 Ariz. 249 (App. 2018)
- Tucson Estates Property Owners Ass’n, Inc. v. McGovern, 2016 WL 197813
- LaWall v. Pima County Merit System Commission, 212 Ariz. 489 (App. 2006)
- Pima County v. Pima County Law Enforcement Merit System Council, 211, Ariz. 224 (2005)
- Community Home Repair Projects of Arizona (CHRPA), Board of Directors, 2005-2006
- Aviva Children’s Services, Board of Directors, 2016-present
- Easterseals Blake Foundation, Board of Directors, 2019-present
- San Rafael Neighborhood Association (Historic), Board of Directors, 2016-2019
- Civano Board of Directors, 2005-2006
- Community Associations Institute, Southern Arizona Chapter, Board of Directors, 2012-2014, 2016-2018
- Community Associations Institute
- Pima County Bar Association
Bar Admissions:
- Indiana 2001
- Arizona 2004
Education:
- Ball State University, BA English, 1996
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law, JD, 2000
Kaycee Scarr Wamsley – ESQ.,LLM
Kaycee Scarr Wamsley – ESQ.,LLM
Kaycee’s practice includes litigation, general business, insurance defense, trust and estates, collections, commercial and residential landlord/tenant, and business law. Kaycee has successfully defended several multimillion dollar cases in Arizona.
Kaycee obtained her undergrad degree from Boise State University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Political Science. While at Boise State University she was a member of the Criminal Justice Club and Pre-Law Society. She then attended the University of Montana where she obtained her law degree and graduated early. During her time at the University of Montana she also served as the President of Phil Delta Phi (International Legal Honor Society) and was a member of the Collegial Bar. Following that, Kaycee earned a Master of Law (LL.M.) in Taxation from New York University.
Kaycee loves to hang out with her husband, daughter, son, and dog. She likes outdoor activities like boating, golfing, swimming, and camping, which makes Arizona a perfect lifestyle fit and has her often visiting her home state of Montana. She likes travelling and tries to as much as possible. Yet, she also enjoys simple things like reading a book.
Trial Experience:
- Chula Vista Homeowners Ass’n v. Irwin
- Sandoval v. Red Adobe Pass Homeowners Ass’n
- Ader v. Bella Vista Townhomes
Professional Memberships:
- Community Associations Institute
- State Bar of Arizona
- Pima County Bar Association
- Arizona Creditors Bar Association
Bar Admissions:
- Arizona
- US District Court, Arizona
Education:
- New York University, LLM
- Alexander Blewett III School of Law at University of Montana, JD
- Boise State University, BS
Sean K. Moynihan – ESQ.
Sean’s practice covers all aspects of community association law, including general legal advice, governing document review and preparation, enforcement and defense litigation, negotiation of various contracts for projects and services, representation in protective order proceedings, and Fair Housing issues. In addition to his work with planned communities and condominiums, Sean also specializes in advising housing cooperatives and the unique legal issues those communities face. Other areas of his practice include residential and commercial landlord/tenant law, nonprofit corporate law, and employment law, including the defense of workplace discrimination claims. Sean has practiced since his admission to the Arizona State Bar in 2016. Sean is a lifelong Tucson local. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arizona’s undergraduate program and magna cum laude from the University’s James E. Rogers College of Law. During his time at the College of Law, Sean was an editor and published writer for the Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law.
Sean currently volunteers with local programs such as Lawyers for Literacy.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their three dogs, getting out in the fresh Tucson air, cooking, and cheering on his beloved Arizona Wildcats and Boston Celtics.
Sean K. Moynihan – ESQ.
Bar Admissions:
- Arizona U.S. District Court
- Arizona
Professional Memberships:
- Community Associations Institute
- State Bar of Arizona Pima County Bar Association
- Pima County Bar Association
Education:
- University of Arizona, BA in Philosophy
- University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, JD
krista avenenti – ESQ.
krista avenenti – ESQ.
Krista’s practice is primarily centered around real estate law, including all aspects of community association law, condominium law, governing document preparation and review, CC&R amendments, contract review, general counsel, and commercial property management.
Krista graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies. However, as a native Tucsonan, she was ecstatic to graduate from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law so she could finally call herself a Wildcat! Krista earned a Certificate in Transactional Business while completing her J.D, and served as a Managing Editor for Arizona Law Review. Just prior to law school, she worked as a second-grade teacher, and she also has a background in real estate, having worked as a Closing Coordinator for a residential home builder and as a realtor here in Tucson. In her spare time, Krista enjoys hiking local trails with her husband and their two (nearly grown) kids, and loves finding new restaurants around town that they haven’t visited before, forever in search of the world’s best macaroni and cheese.
Bar Admissions:
- Arizona
Professional Memberships:
- Community Associations Institute
- State Bar of Arizona
- Pima County Bar Association
Education:
- Arizona State University, BLS
- University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, JD
RORY J. BENNETT - ESQ.
Rory Bennett’s practice is primarily focused in real estate law, including community association law, condominium law, general counsel, real property sales and acquisitions, leasing, and commercial finance.
Rory achieved his undergraduate degree and his law degree at the University of Arizona, graduating from the James E. Rogers College of Law in 2021, where he was a member of the Arizona Law Review and worked in the Civil Rights Restoration Clinic. In law school, Rory developed a fascination with contracts and complicated real property issues, which is what ultimately lead to his career in real estate law. Rory is originally from Vermont but has lived in Tucson for decades and proudly calls the desert home. Prior to attending law school, he worked as a bartender for 10 years. In his spare time, he enjoys mixing up cocktails for friends and family, rooting for the Phoenix Suns, and cooking elaborate recipes with his wife.
RORY J. BENNETT - ESQ.
Administrative team
Administrative team
- Nina, Operations Manager | nina@smithwamsley.com
- Brittany, Law Clerk | brittany@smithwamsley.com
- Missy, Supervising Paralegal | missy@smithwamsley.com
- Kim, Paralegal | kim@smithwamsley.com
- Kirsten, Paralegal | kirsten@smithwamsley.com
- Maggie, Paralegal | maggie@smithwamsley.com
- Nicole, Administrative Assistant | Nicole@smithwamsley.com
- Renata, Executive Assistant | renata@smithwamsley.com
- Rena, Collections Accounting Specialist | rena@smithwamsley.com
- Aidan, Assistant | aidan@smithwamsley.com
- Graham, Assistant | graham@smithwamsley.com
- Lisandra, Assistant | lisandra@smithwamsley.com
- Michelle, Assistant | michelle@smithwamsley.com
- Van, Assistant | van@smithwamsley.com
