On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the Arizona Supreme Court reinstated attorney Joshua R. Kontak as an active member of the State Bar of Arizona, effective immediately. This decision follows Kontak’s suspension on February 1, 2022, stemming from an incident where he appeared for a virtual court status conference while intoxicated.
The reinstatement order, signed by Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer, concludes a disciplinary process that began with Kontak’s application for reinstatement filed on April 4, 2025. The case, designated as No. SB-25-0051-R by the Supreme Court and No. PDJ20259022 by the Office of the Presiding Disciplinary Judge, involved a thorough review of Kontak’s conduct and subsequent rehabilitation efforts.
A hearing panel, comprised of Presiding Disciplinary Judge Lisa A. VandenBerg, attorney member Ralph J. Wexler, and public member Tom Crowe, convened on August 7, 2025, to evaluate Kontak’s application. Deputy Chief Bar Counsel Amy K. Rehm represented the State Bar of Arizona during the proceedings. Kontak was present and represented by Attorney Geoffrey M. T. Sturr.
The panel’s recommendation for reinstatement, filed on September 2, 2025, was based on evidence presented, including stipulated facts, exhibits, and testimony from Kontak, Alex Bergener, and Tony Ludlum. Notably, the State Bar supported Kontak’s reinstatement, contingent upon a two-year probation period with specific terms.
The original suspension resulted from Kontak’s conduct on June 21, 2021, during a virtual status conference in Maricopa County Superior Court case no. CR2018-109052-001, State v. Rodriguez. At the time, Kontak was serving as a deputy county attorney with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO). He appeared visibly and audibly impaired. The following day, in a meeting with the judicial officer and his supervisor, Kontak falsely denied being intoxicated. This led to his admission of violating Rules 3.3(a) and 8.4(d) of the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct, as well as Rules 41(a), 41(b)(3), and 41(b)(7). Kontak entered into an Agreement for Discipline by Consent filed January 28, 2022.
Evidence presented to the panel highlighted Kontak’s efforts toward rehabilitation, including his acknowledgment of alcoholism, participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), engagement with a sponsor, therapy sessions, and consistent sobriety. He also resigned from MCAO on July 9, 2021, and self-reported his conduct to the State Bar.
The two-year probation terms include random urine testing at Kontak’s expense, continued AA involvement with weekly meeting attendance, engagement with his homegroup and an engaged sponsor, adherence to all traffic laws, abstinence from alcohol, and avoidance of any further violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The panel concluded that Kontak had met his burden of demonstrating rehabilitation, compliance with disciplinary orders, fitness to practice law, and competence. They emphasized the importance of protecting the public and noted Kontak’s lack of prior disciplinary history.
According to Avvo, Mr. Kontak is a criminal defense lawyer in Phoenix, AZ. He acquired his law license in Arizona in 2008.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
