ARIZONA STATE SENATE
RESEARCH STAFF
TO: MEMBERS OF THE SENATE
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
DATE: February 13, 2024
SUBJECT: Strike everything amendment to S.B. 1471, relating to complaints against state bar
members; dismissal
Purpose
Requires the Arizona State Bar (Bar) and Arizona Supreme Court (Supreme Court) to
dismiss without comment or investigation all complaints made against an attorney who is a
member of the Bar if: 1) the complainant alleges that the attorney has violated a rule of professional
conduct or has engaged in other conduct warranting discipline; and 2) the complaint does not have
an attorney-client relationship with the attorney or another substantial nexus to the attorney's
alleged violation or conduct.
Background
The Supreme Court classifies violations of a Rule of Professional Conduct as grounds for
discipline (A.R.S. Sup. Ct. Rules, Rule 54). The Supreme Court maintains under its direction and
control a corporate organization known as the Bar. Every person licensed by the Supreme Court
to engage in the practice of law must be a member of the Bar in accordance with the Supreme
Court Rules. The Supreme Court empowers the Bar, under the Supreme Court's supervision, to
assist the Supreme Court with the regulation and discipline of persons engaged in the practice of
law and assist the Supreme Court with the regulation and discipline of alternative business
structures and legal paraprofessionals (A.R.S. Sup. Ct. Rules, Rule 32).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Bar and Supreme Court to dismiss, without comment or investigation, all
complaints made against an attorney who is a member of the Bar if:
a) the complainant alleges that the attorney has violated a rule of professional conduct or has
engaged in other conduct warranting discipline; and
b) the complainant does not have an attorney-client relationship with the attorney or another
substantial nexus to the attorney's alleged violation or conduct.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
KAYTLIN KING
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH INTERN
ZACK DEAN
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Telephone: (602) 926-3171