On Friday, June 21, 2024, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Arizona Supreme Court reprimanded attorney Joy Parker and placed her on probation for 18 months for inappropriate communications during a contentious family law case.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Joy Parker,” with case no. PDJ 2024-9018.
The order stems from an agreement that Parker entered with the State Bar of Arizona to resolve a formal complaint filed against her in March 2024. According to the filing, Parker has been involved in a lengthy family law proceeding involving the custody of her children with her ex-husband Lawrence Lazzara since 2017.
In 2021, while Lazzara had a pending petition to modify custody orders, Parker sent him a series of inappropriate text messages, including threatening fantasies about unplugging his ventilator and stating he was worthless as a parent. She also sent unwanted messages to Lazzara’s wife after being asked to stop communicating with her.
In February 2022, Parker and Lazzara entered into a stipulated agreement through the family court requiring them to cooperate with counseling for their son with a therapist, Dr. Celice Korsten. However, in August 2022, Parker unilaterally withdrew consent for her son to continue treatment with Dr. Korsten and refused a recommended termination session.
Lazzara filed a contempt petition with the family court alleging Parker violated the agreement. In May 2023, the family court ruled in Lazzara’s favor, finding Parker wrongfully terminated counseling.
As part of the disciplinary agreement, Parker conditionally admitted her communications violated ethical rules by failing to treat others with dignity and respect. She also acknowledged violating rules by refusing to cooperate with the court-ordered counseling.
In exchange for her admission, the State Bar dismissed additional alleged rule violations and agreed to a reprimand and 18-month probation as the appropriate sanction. Under the terms of her probation, Parker must complete a psychological evaluation through the State Bar’s member assistance program and incur over $1,200 in costs.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge accepted the parties’ agreement for discipline by consent.
The order states:
“IT IS ORDERED that JOY PARKER, Bar No. 025671, is reprimanded for her conduct in violation of the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct, as described in the consent documents.”
According to avvo.com, Ms. Parker is an immigration attorney in Tempe, Arizona. She acquired her law license in Arizona in 2008.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
