Government Relations Department

The State Bar of Arizona's Government Relations Department interacts with and is a resource to state and federal governmental entities, as well as members of the Bar. The procedure for changing the rules of court and the legislative process are both complicated and fast-paced. Please feel free to contact the Government Relations Department if you have questions about these processes, specific legislation or rule changes, or the Bar's position on particular issues.

Decisions On Rule Petitions
The State Bar would like to direct your attention to a recent Supreme Court Administrative Order and several rule changes. With the exception of Admission On Motion, all of the changes will take effect on January 1, 2009. For complete information on these developments, click here.

Rules Amendments
The Government Relations Department manages the Bar's development of and commentary about proposed petitions to change the rules of state, federal and local court.

The Board of Governors must approve any commentary before the Bar or any of its agents may do so. Please contact Government Relations for more information about obtaining Board approval.

Legislative Advocacy
The Government Relations Department coordinates and facilitates communication between the Bar and government entities. Government Relations monitors state and federal legislation of interest to the Bar and provides information to members and government officials. Legislative proposals are monitored according to area of practice and information about the status of legislation is provided via Myzbar.org. During the state's legislative session, Government Relations provides weekly updates of action at the Arizona Capitol.

The Board of Governors must approve support or opposition to any legislation before the Bar or any of its agents may take a stance. Generally, the Bar takes a formal position on a small number of bills each legislative session. The constitutional restrictions outlined in Keller v. State Bar of California and subsequent cases require that positions taken by the State Bar must be narrowly limited to areas which have a substantial impact upon the judiciary, the practice of law, or the administration of justice. Please contact Government Relations for more information about obtaining Board approval.