On Thursday, September 4, 2025, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Supreme Court of Arizona reprimanded attorney Spencer Thomas Hale following an Agreement for Discipline by Consent. The reprimand stems from violations of the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Spencer Thomas Hale,” with case number PDJ 2025-9050.
According to court documents, the agreement addresses a Formal Complaint filed on August 5, 2025. Hale, who was self-represented in the matter, conditionally admitted to violating Rule 42, Ariz. R. Sup. Ct., specifically ER 4.4(a), ER 3.4(c), ER 8.4(d), and Rule 41(b)(7).
The ethical issue arose from Hale’s representation of a husband in an Order of Protection (OOP) proceeding where the husband was the subject and was prohibited from contacting his wife (the Complainant) except for childcare purposes. Hale was found to have acted negligently by hand-delivering a communication to the Complainant at her home, a communication largely based on a letter from his client, which violated the terms of the OOP.
In addition to the reprimand, Hale is ordered to pay $1,200.00 to cover the costs and expenses incurred by the State Bar of Arizona within 30 days of the order. The Office of the Presiding Disciplinary Judge incurred no costs in the proceedings.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge considered the American Bar Association’s Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions in reaching the decision. The court found that Hale negligently violated his duty to the profession, the legal system, and the public, causing actual and potential harm. ABA Standard 6.33, which addresses negligent communication with an individual in the legal system, was specifically cited.
The parties stipulated to two aggravating factors: the vulnerability of the victim and Hale’s substantial experience in law practice, as he was licensed in Arizona on January 10, 2011. Mitigating factors included the absence of a prior disciplinary record and a cooperative attitude during the proceedings.
According to Avvo, Mr. Hale is a divorce and separation lawyer in Queen Creek, AZ. He acquired his law license in Arizona in 2011.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
