On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Supreme Court of Arizona reinstated attorney Bryan Blehm to the active practice of law after completing a 60-day suspension.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Bryan James Blehm,” with case no. PDJ 2024-9099-R.
Blehm had been suspended for 60 days by an order from the Presiding Disciplinary Judge Margaret Downie on June 27, 2024. This suspension stemmed from Blehm’s representation of former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake in various election-related lawsuits following her defeat in the 2022 election.
Specifically, Blehm faced complaints related to making unsupported allegations in court filings and on social media of 35,000 fraudulent ballots being injected into the governor’s race without evidence. The Arizona Supreme Court’s Attorney Discipline Probable Cause Committee found this to be a violation of rules of professional conduct last December 2023.
In the June 27, 2024 order, Judge Downie suspended Blehm for 60 days for these violations. Upon completing his suspension, Blehm would also be on probation for one year with requirements to take five additional credit hours in ethics or litigation conduct continuing legal education courses. He was also ordered to pay $2,000 in costs to the state bar.
According to the October 23, 2024 reinstatement order, Blehm had fulfilled the terms of his suspension by serving the 60-day period and filing an affidavit attesting to his compliance with Rule 72 and payment of costs. The State Bar did not object to his reinstatement.
The Disposition states:
“IT IS ORDERED reinstating Bryan James Blehm, Bar No. 023891, to the active practice of law in Arizona, effective immediately. Mr. Blehm is subject to the terms of probation set forth in the Final Judgment and Order filed in PDJ 2023-9096. This order is without prejudice to the State Bar’s ability to proceed with any matters brought to its attention before, during, or after Mr. Blehm’s suspension.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Blem is a family attorney in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended the University of Arizona College of Law, graduating in 2005. He acquired his law license in Arizona in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
