This bill proposes updates to section 12-353 of the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding the recovery of costs in attorney discipline matters. Under current law, if an attorney prevails in a discipline matter, they are entitled to recover costs, including attorney fees and court costs, from the state bar of Arizona. The bill adds specific provisions that clarify the types of recoverable costs, including loss of earnings calculated during the entire investigation and discipline process, as well as any related court litigation and appeal.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision allowing attorneys to file a claim against the state bar of Arizona for damages to their reputation resulting from the discipline process. This insertion aims to provide further protection for attorneys who may suffer reputational harm as a result of the proceedings. Overall, the bill enhances the current statute by detailing the scope of recoverable costs and introducing a mechanism for reputational damage claims.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 12-353