On Wednesday, November 2, 2022, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Supreme Court of Arizona ordered the reprimand of Tucson attorney Ricardo A. Bracamonte in consideration of the Agreement for Discipline by Consent alleging Bracamonte of unethical conduct.

The case is styled as ‘In the Matter of a Member of the State Bar of Arizona, Ricardo A. Bracamonte’ and was brought by the State Bar of Arizona, under case nos. 21-1588 & 21-2548.

The charges cited  Rule 42, Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct ER 1.2 (scope of representation and allocation of authority between client and lawyer); ER 1.3 (diligence); ER 1.4 (communication); ER 1.6 (confidentiality); ER 1.15 (safekeeping property); ER 1.16 (declining or terminating representation); and ER 8.4(d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice).

The Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

The following are as alleged and summarized from the filing:

Bracamonte’s alleged misconduct arose from his representation of two different family law clients. It was alleged that his fee agreements were non-compliant with the rules, missed a court hearing, and failed to keep his clients adequately apprised about the developments and filing in their cases. In addition, a complainant alleged that the Respondent has failed to communicate with him adequately, argued with him, and was impatient with him.

Bracamonte admitted that he violated the rules as charged. He agreed to accept the imposition of reprimand with probation for two years with conditions. He further agreed to pay the costs and expenses of the disciplinary proceeding.

According to the Decision Accepting Agreement for Discipline by Consent:

‘The State Bar of Arizona, and Respondent Ricardo A. Bracamonte who has chosen no to seek the assistance of counsel, hereby submit their Agreement for Discipline by Consent pursuant to Rule 57(a), Ariz. R. Sup. Ct. A probable cause order was entered on September 19, 2022, and a formal complaint was filed on September 29, 2022.’

The Decision continues:

“Respondent voluntarily waives the right to an adjudicatory hearing, unless otherwise ordered, and waives all motions, defenses, objections or requests which have been made or raised, or could be asserted thereafter, if the conditional admissions and proposed form of discipline are approved.”

With the foregoing facts and discussions, the presiding disciplinary judge accepted the Agreement for Discipline by Consent.

The disposition reads:

“IT IS ORDERED that Ricardo A. Bracamonte is reprimanded for his conduct in violation of the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct, as outlined in the consent documents.”

Respondent was also ordered placed on probation with terms including LOMAP (full assessment and monitoring), to complete CLE programs entitled “Courtesy, Candor, and Confidences: Common Courtroom Conundrums” and “Dealing with Difficult Clients” or similar programs, and to pay $750 restitution to Lourdes Mendosa within 10 days. Respondent shall also commit no further violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Costs and expenses in the amount of $1,200.00 were also assessed against Respondent and ordered to be paid within 30 days of the Judgment and Order.

As of today, Mr. Ricardo A. Bracamonte is a practicing family law and criminal defense lawyer serving Tucson, Arizona where he maintains the Law Office of M. Ricardo A. Bracamonte. He has been licensed in Arizona, license no. 014303.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.