FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2011
Contact: Rick DeBruhl, Chief Communications Officer
Phone: (602) 340-7335, Mobile: (602) 513-6385
Email: rick.debruhl@staff.azbar.org
Arizona Supreme Court Issues Interim Suspension to Phoenix Attorney
PHOENIX - Aug. 25, 2011 - The Arizona Supreme Court has
issued an interim suspension to Phoenix attorney Grant H.
Goodman. The action taken by the court formalizes the
temporary suspension of Goodman by Presiding Disciplinary Judge
William J. O'Neil.
The State Bar filed a motion for interim suspension which
describes a pattern of conduct to exploit vulnerable individuals
and conduct that resulted in multiple sanctions against Goodman by
various courts. The motion was supported by the affidavits of
several judges and one of the vulnerable individual's current
guardians.
In September 2009, the United States Bankruptcy Court issued a
prospective injunction prohibiting Goodman from filing claims
relating to Goodman and Goodman's companies unless he first
obtained the bankruptcy court's approval for pursuing such
claims. In March 2011, the United States District Court in
Arizona found that while representing a corporate client, Goodman
demonstrated a pattern of misrepresentation to both the court and
opposing counsel. In May 2011, the Arizona Superior Court in
Maricopa County sanctioned Goodman for "an on-going pattern of
abuse of the judicial process designed . . . to harass and
intimidate." Each of the cases cited in Judge Peter J.
Cahill's May 2011 Order involved a guardianship or conservatorship
in Arizona's probate system.
Judge O'Neill's recommendation to the Arizona Supreme Court
indicates a concern that Goodman's conduct poses a threat of
substantial harm, loss or damage to the public, the legal
profession or the administration of justice.
The interim suspension became effective August 25, 2011.
The interim suspension will continue in force until final
disposition of all pending proceedings against Goodman.
Goodman is not allowed to practice law during his
suspension.
Read the Supreme Court order here.
About the State Bar
The State Bar of Arizona is a non-profit organization that operates under the supervision of the Arizona Supreme Court. The Bar includes approximately 16,000 active attorneys and provides education and development programs for the legal profession and the public. Since 1933 the Bar and its members have been committed to serving the public by making sure the voices of all people in Arizona are heard in our justice system.
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