SB1435

THE CONTEXT: Court rule provides that the Court has jurisdiction over any person or entity engaged in the authorized or unauthorized practice of law in Arizona. The practice of law is defined as providing legal advice or services to or for another by: 1) Preparing or expressing legal opinions to or for another person or entity; 2) Representing a person or entity in a judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative proceeding, or other formal dispute resolution process such as arbitration or mediation; 3) Preparing a document, in any medium, on behalf of a specific person or entity for filing in any court, administrative agency...

WHAT THE BILL DID: is to serve and protect the public with respect to the provision of legal services and access to justice. By rule, every person licensed to engage in the practice of law in Arizona must be member of the Bar.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to make the licensing pathway more workable while retaining a defined state standard. It would require the Court to license attorneys for the practice of law in Arizona, and would also prohibit the Court from requiring an attorney to be a member of any organization to become or remain a licensed attorney in Arizona, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.