On Thursday, February 2, 2023, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Supreme Court of Arizona admonished attorney Justin J. Tyler. The case is entitled “In the Matter of Justin J. Tyler” and was brought by the State Bar of Arizona with case no. 2022-9074.

The charges cited Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 42, ERs 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 1.10, 7.1, and 8.4(d).

The respondent and his brother (Noah) shared an office in Arizona. During the relevant time period, the front door of their office has a logo that reads, “TYLER & TYLER Attorneys”. However, each of them had its own separate business. On the matter at hand, the respondent represented a complainant in a probate of his deceased father’s estate while the respondent’s brother (Noah) was engaged in a real estate-related business transaction. During the respondent’s said representation; Noah, the brother also discussed with the same complainant the possibility of his business purchase of the home of the latter’s deceased father’s property. The complainant then entered into a real estate sale and purchase contract and sold the property to Noah. With the completion of the negotiation between Noah and the complainant, the respondent had a conflict of interest in representing his client.

The filing states:

“No written disclosures were made to Moore regarding any conflict issues or the opportunity or desirability of seeking the advice of independent counsel regarding either the probate of his deceased father’s estate or the sale of the Property.”

The filing continues:

“In both the caption of the July 26, 2021 filing and in his email to the Clerk of the Pinal County Superior Court, Respondent identified his law firm as “Tyler & Tyler.” Respondent reported to the State Bar that he received a $2,500 referral fee for sending Moore to Noah and that he did not disclose the referral fee to Moore.”

The filing further states:

“Respondent did not refund to Moore any of the legal fees Respondent received for the probate of Moore’s father’s estate. Respondent informed the State Bar that “the scope of [Respondent’s] representation as set forth in the fee agreement did not involve the sale of the Property1″ and that he did not represent Moore regarding the sale.”

On February 2, 2023, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Supreme Court of Arizona accepted the agreement for discipline by consent filed by the parties. The parties agreed that the respondent negligently violated the duties he owed to his client and the legal profession, resulting in potential harm. Thus, the court entered a final judgment and order admonishing the respondent.

The Disposition states:

“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Justin J. Tyler, Bar No. 033359, is admonished for his conduct in violation of the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct, as outlined in the consent documents.”

Mr. Tyler is listed as an attorney at Forward Legal. He attended the Arizona State University College of Law, graduating in 2016. He practices in Mesa, Arizona. He is licensed in Arizona with license no. 033359. Mr. Tyler’s info can be found on Linkedin.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.