VETOED
SB1435 ATTACK ON STATE BAR OF AZ
Attorneys would no longer be required to pass the State Bar or license with the Bar in order to practice in Arizona; instead requires the AZ supreme court to be the licensing authority. 🚫 No on SB1435. Vetoed 🎉
Bill sponsored by Justine Wadsack • RTS: For (104) – Against (377)
- SB1435 would end the requirement for AZ attorneys to be members of the State Bar of Arizona and move licensing duties to the Arizona Supreme Court, where there would be zero transparency as they are not subject to public records requests.
- This bill was motivated by unsubstantiated claims that the AZ State Bar warned lawyers they would be disbarred if they took Covid-related cases to court.
- Jessica Sanchez, President of the State Bar Board said, “The State Bar does not tell attorneys what cases they can take…” (AZ Mirror)
- Even two Republican attorneys came forward denying that the AZ State Bar has ever told members what type of cases they can or cannot take; “It’s utter and complete nonsense, with no basis in fact or reality” (Chris DeRose)
- “I don’t owe you anything in the way of proof!” Wadsack replied to Rep Analise Ortiz on 3/8/23 during session when Rep Ortiz asked for evidence of the thousands of attorneys who were allegedly forbidden to bring Covid cases to court.
- Wadsack claims she didn’t want to “doxx” any of the attorneys by providing proof of these claims, but also admitted to having no documentation that would prove her claims. (AZ Mirror)