This bill proposes amendments to section 12-353 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, specifically addressing the recovery of costs in attorney discipline matters. Under the current law, if an attorney prevails in a discipline matter, the State Bar of Arizona is responsible for attorney fees and court costs. The bill adds provisions that entitle the attorney to also recover loss of earnings, calculated during the entire duration of the investigation, discipline process, and any related court litigation or appeal.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision allowing attorneys who prevail in such matters to file a claim against the State Bar if they have suffered damage to their reputation. This change aims to provide further recourse for attorneys who have been wrongfully subjected to disciplinary actions, enhancing their ability to seek compensation for reputational harm.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 12-353
Senate Engrossed Version: 12-353