On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Supreme Court of Arizona issued a final judgment suspending attorney Jose Luis Chaidez from the practice of law for 60 days.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Jose Luis Chaidez,” with case no. PDJ 2023-9075.
The charges cited Arizona Supreme Court Rules 42, ERs 1.3, 1.15(d), 1.16(d), 3.2, 3.4(c), 8.4(d) and Rule 54(c).
According to documents filed with the court, Chaidez entered into an Agreement for Discipline by Consent with the State Bar of Arizona on November 8, 2023. The agreement resolved two counts of alleged ethics violations related to Chaidez’s representation of clients in separate legal matters.
In the first count, Chaidez represented a client in a civil case from November 2021 through December 2022. The complaint alleged Chaidez failed to diligently represent his client, did not comply with disclosure obligations or court deadlines, and failed to respond to a motion for summary judgment filed by the opposing party. As a result, the court granted summary judgment against Chaidez’s client.
The second count stemmed from Chaidez’s appointment to represent a criminal defendant on January 14, 2019. After the defendant’s conviction and appeal in 2021, new counsel was appointed to pursue post-conviction relief. The complaint alleged Chaidez failed to timely provide the client’s file to new counsel despite multiple requests between December 2021 and April 2022. Counsel was forced to file motions with the court to compel Chaidez to produce the file.
In the agreement, Chaidez conditionally admitted to violations of Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct related to diligence, safekeeping of client property, and compliance with court rules and orders. As a sanction, Chaidez agreed to a 60-day suspension to be followed by two years of probation with conditions.
On November 21, 2023, Presiding Disciplinary Judge Margaret Downie issued a Final Judgment and Order formally suspending Chaidez for 60 days effective November 18, 2023. The order also imposes the agreed-upon terms of probation after reinstatement, including participation in the State Bar’s Law Office Management Assistance Program and payment of $1,200 in costs. Chaidez must now comply with attorney reinstatement procedures before resuming the practice of law.
The Disposition states:
“IT IS ORDERED that Jose Luis Chaidez is suspended from the practice of law for 60 days for his conduct in violation of the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct and Rules of the Supreme Court of Arizona, effective November 18, 2023.”
According to avvo.com, Ms. Chaidez is a criminal defense attorney in Phoenix, Arizona. He acquired his law license in Arizona in 2007.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
