“The Seven Deadly Sins of Conflict”

An Arizona attorney provided legal services to a client who did not understand English. The attorney mistook the client’s intent to obtain a divorce rather than separation, did not acheive the client’s objectives and placed a lien for fees against the client’s property. The attorney had a disciplinary record of two prior censures and two prior probations for “offenses not of the same sort…” A hearing officer accepted an agreed discipline proposal for censure number three but cautioned that the attorney “would be well advised not to tempt fate in the future.”

The Arizona Disciplinary Commission, on review, recommends censure, one year of probation, and completion of a course entitled “The Seven Deadly Sins of Conflict.” The hearing officer’s report is appended. (Mike Frisch)