Cases Affecting Public Lawyers

Arizona Supreme Court, October 29, 2009
Lake v. City of Phoenix, 218 P.3d 1004 (2009)
If a public entity maintains a public record in an electronic format, then the electronic version, including any embedded metadata, is subject to disclosure under Arizona public records laws. Read more

State of Arizona Court of Appeals, January 29, 2008
Hounshell v. White, 175 P.3d 65 (App. 2008)
A county officer is the appointing authority for his own deputies and employees. A board of supervisors may not discipline employees of other county officers. Read more.

State of Arizona Court of Appeals, February 5, 2008
Phoenix New Times v. Arpaio, 217 Ariz. 533, 177 P.3d 275 (App. 2008)
Prompt production of disclosable public records including personnel files is required upon request. An agency has the burden of proving it adequately searched for requested records. Read more.

U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, April 24, 2007
Torres-Martinez v. Puerto Rico Dep't of Corr., No. 06-1881
In a suit involving political discrimination and Fourteenth Amendment claims against a government employer, summary judgment for defendant is affirmed where: 1) the slight narrowing of employment duties does not constitute an adverse employment decision; and 2) public employees have no property interest in their job duties, therefore the agency did not deny plaintiff due process. Read more.