Some Republican leaders are hoping to see a different strategy for regulating attorneys in Arizona.
House Speaker Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen asked the state Supreme Court to consider no longer requiring the State Bar of Arizona to be the “regulator” and use the Arizona Office of the Courts instead, which would require a change in Rule 32.
The petition makes the case that the association requires attorneys to pay for “ideological trainings, social events, and lobbying initiatives through bar dues and request retroactive refunds” and that the Supreme Court already does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to regulations.
“Granting this Petition would rectify that problem. The Arizona Bar would no longer be mandatory. It could then advocate, even for ideological causes, through voluntary support. In the interim, Petitioners propose this Court institute a study committee to prepare this Court to assume the narrow regulatory responsibilities, most of which it already performs,” the petition filed by Holtzman Vogel, including former state Supreme Court Justice Andrew Gould, states.
“Petitioners propose a date certain, January 1, 2027, by which the Arizona Bar would become fully voluntary and this Court – through the Arizona Office of the Courts (“AOC”) – would assume regulatory responsibilities,” the filing continues.
The organization said that it is still “committed to successfully executing its current mission to serve and protect the public and promote access to justice as provided by the Arizona Supreme Court.”
“The Board of Governors will review the petition and determine any response to the proposed rule change for the Court to consider,” the group told The Center Square in a statement.
Anything that lessens the power of lawyers in general, has my support. This seems like a no brainer to me.
House Speaker Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen are firing a broadside at the State Bar of Arizona. I predict lots of bombast, fireworks and endless rhetoric from the Bar in the immediate future. Might be very entertaining to see. However, will it amount to anything more than “Sound and fury, signifying nothing”, to steal a phrase from Shakespeare?
Sadly, it may be too good a solution for politicians to support.
A private organization with exclusive power to regulate a profession is a bad idea on principle. Even Kim Kardashian (yes, that Kim Kardashian) has advocated for lawyer apprentices, which I think is a very good idea. I’ve nothing against The Bar adding their seal of approval to a lawyer’s CV, much like UL certification, but the fact that one is prohibited from practicing law without their approval is monopolistic and extortionist.
The AZ Bar Association has become another tool of the left to punish those who do not toe the ideological line. It deserves to be neutered.