State Bar of Arizona

Regulatory - pursuant to rule 32 of the supreme court of Arizona, the State Bar of Arizona assists the court with the regulation and discipline of persons engaged in the practice of law. The State Bar receives, screens, and investigates complaints against attorneys, which may be dismissed, require remedial action or lead to more formal proceedings resulting in various forms of discipline.

Professional development - pursuant to rule 32 of the supreme court of Arizona, the State Bar is to conduct educational programs regarding substantive law, best practices, procedure and ethics and provide forums for discussion regarding the administration of justice and practice of law. The State Bar is also responsible for fostering ideals of integrity, learning, competence, and public service among attorneys and serve the professional needs of its members. The State Bar fosters professional development of attorneys through opportunities to serve on advisory groups, committees, sections, and task forces, and by providing continuing legal education, practice management assistance, legal resources and various other member services.

Compliance - pursuant to rule 32 of the supreme court of Arizona, the State Bar is charged with ensuring the competency of lawyers. Consistent with rule 44, legal specialization, the State Bar administers a program through the board of legal specialization in order to improve the quality of legal services. Additionally, in accordance with rule 45, mandatory continuing legal education, the State Bar ensures active members complete required continuing legal education on an annual basis. The State Bar also assists in processing pro hac vice admissions under rule 39 and processes in house counsel registrations under rule 38.

Access to justice: pursuant to rule 32 of the supreme court of Arizona, the State Bar mission includes access to justice, which involves efforts to improve access to our legal system for all arizonians. The Bar carries out this task through its public service center by supporting various legal aid organizations, assisting with access to attorneys, working to educate the public about the legal process, and by supporting the supreme court's access to justice commission.publications: (1) Arizona attorney - monthly magazine with substantive articles about legal issues and topics that affect the legal profession; (2) elegal - series of electronic newsletters updating members on legal news, issues, ethics opinions and court casesthe client protection fund of the State Bar of Arizona is a trust and, as such, is technically a separate legal entity from the State Bar of Arizona. However, because the State Bar has an administrative role, it is included in the State Bar's federal income tax reporting. The clientprotection fund exists to promote the public confidence in the administration of justice and the integrity of the legal profession by reimbursing losses caused by the dishonest conduct of lawyers admitted and licensed to practice in Arizona. In 2023 the organization provided assistance to 68 claims filed with the fund.