Former Maricopa County Attorney Won’t Sue Ethics Investigators After All

Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas took an aggressive tack earlier this year when he signaled an intent to sue Arizona ethics investigators who recommended he be disbarred and county officials he believed to be retaliating against him. Thomas filed notices of intent to sue for damages totaling $47 million,…

Sep 1, 2011 4:46 PM CDT

Govt’s Discussion of Plea with Represented Murder Defendant Results in Case Dismissal, Reprimands

Errors by the prosecution in pursuing a possible plea deal directly with a represented murder defendant resulted in the dismissal of the Apache County, Ariz., case, reports the National Organization of Bar Counsel in its “Case of the Month” column. Plus, the county’s two top prosecutors were reprimanded, both for…

Aug 31, 2011 8:50 PM CDT

US Atty for Ariz. Resigns, Minn. US Atty Promoted in Shake-Up re Botched ATF Gun-Running Probe

The top federal prosecutor in Arizona has resigned, effective immediately, and two other officials who oversaw a botched federal investigation of gun-running operation have been reassigned. In the probe, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reportedly stood by as hundreds of weapons were illegally purchased for…

Aug 31, 2011 7:16 PM CDT

Identical Twin Brother Complicates Murder Case Based on Eyewitnesses; Defense Claims Mistaken ID

At first, authorities in Chandler, Ariz., thought they had a solid murder case against Orlando Nembhard. But it is based on eyewitness testimony, which can be problematic at the best of times. And in this case, it’s particularly fraught with doubt—was it Orlando Nembhard that witnesses allegedly saw commit the…

Aug 9, 2011 10:27 AM CDT

Arizona Cannabis Clubs Sued by State AG

Four cannabis clubs in Arizona, where voters last year passed a law allowing medical marijuana use, were sued today by the state attorney general, who alleges that the groups’ actions run afoul of the new ordinance. The lawsuit was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court. According to the state attorney…

Aug 8, 2011 7:07 PM CDT

Ex-Judge Loses Law License for 2 Years for Sexual Behavior re Multiple Female Lawyers While on Bench

A former municipal court judge who resigned after being accused of sexually harassing a female public defender who had recently graduated from law school, as well as other attorneys who appeared before him, did not escape legal ethics discipline. Although the Arizona Supreme Court could only censure Theodore “Ted” Abrams,…

Aug 5, 2011 12:49 PM CDT

Questions Asked About Source of Funds Used by Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to Pay 4 Law Firms

A new issue has been raised in the aftermath of a hard-fought political battle between the former Maricopa, Ariz., county attorney Andrew Thomas and the county’s board of supervisors. Some $127,000 in funds seized as a result of criminal investigations were used to pay law firms representing the county attorney’s…

Aug 1, 2011 9:32 PM CDT

Alien Resurrection: Justices Open the Door for States to Control Immigration Status

Aug 1, 2011 7:10 AM CDT

Litigators Provide iPads to 20 Clients, to Help Them Stay Connected to Cases

Corporate clients generally have access to smart phones and other cutting-edge technology. But working class individuals often don’t. So two litigators at an Arizona law firm have provided iPads to 20 clients in their biggest cases. The devices act as hotlines, helping clients of partner Marc Lamber and associate James…

Jul 8, 2011 10:13 AM CDT

9th Circuit Stays Court Order Forcing Meds on Suspect in Shooting of Giffords and Chief Judge Roll

Granting an emergency motion by the suspect in a Tucson, Ariz., mass shooting spree early this year, a federal appeals court has ordered prison officials not to forcibly administer anti-psychotic medication to defendant Jared Loughner until the matter is finally decided. Loughner’s lawyers have argued that he was not given…

Jul 5, 2011 8:11 PM CDT

Self-Help Guru Convicted of Negligent Homicide in Sweat Lodge Deaths

Self-help guru James Arthur Ray has been convicted of negligent homicide in the deaths of three people during a sweat-lodge ceremony. Arizona jurors rejected more serious manslaughter charges, according to several news outlets, including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and Reuters. Participants in the “spiritual warrior” seminar…

Jun 23, 2011 11:22 AM CDT

Decision to Hire Paul Clement to Defend Immigration Law Is Surprise to Arizona’s Attorney General

Former Solicitor General Paul Clement, who made news in April when he resigned in protest from King & Spalding over his representation of the House’s position on the Defense of Marriage Act, has been tapped by the state of Arizona to defend its controversial immigration law. Clement, now at Washington,…

Jun 10, 2011 3:00 PM CDT

Lawyer, Ex-Client and 3 Supportive Friends Were Slain by Her Ex-Husband, Police Say

A shooting spree last week in and around Yuma, Ariz., focused on an angry ex-husband’s former wife, lawyer and friends who supported her, according to police investigators and court records. In addition to Jerrold Shelley, 62, who was slain at his law office on Thursday morning, the other four victims…

Jun 6, 2011 6:22 PM CDT

Slain Divorce Lawyer Represented Ex-Wife of Dead Gunman, Had Expected to Retire from Practice Today

A 62-year-old divorce lawyer reportedly shot to death in his Yuma, Ariz., law office this morning represented the ex-wife of the man authorities say was responsible for five fatal shootings in and around the city today. Jerrold Shelley was in the process of packing up his law office, expecting to…

Jun 3, 2011 12:17 AM CDT

DOJ Settles Suit Against Joe Arpaio’s Office, Says Maricopa, Ariz., Sheriff Has Provided Docs

The Department of Justice has settled an unusual suit seeking to force the Maricopa County, Ariz., sheriff’s office to provide documents for a civil rights probe. The office is now cooperating, ending the documents dispute, although the investigation continues, reports the Associated Press. The sheriff’s office did not have any…

Jun 2, 2011 11:45 PM CDT