On Friday, November 18, 2022, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Supreme Court of Arizona ordered the 61-day suspension of Gilbert attorney Christopher D. Graham for ethical violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The case is styled as ‘In the Matter of a Member of the State Bar of Arizona, Christopher D. Graham’ and was brought by the State Bar of Arizona, under case nos. 21-1540, 21-1695, and 22-0179.
The charges cited Rule 42, Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct ER 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.6 (confidentiality), 5.1 (supervisory duties), 5.3 (responsibilities regarding nonlawyers), 5.5(a) (unauthorized practice of law), 8.4(a) (violate or attempt to violate the rules of professional conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so, or do so through the acts of another, and 84(d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice).
The Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.
According to the filing:
‘Generally speaking, the ethical violations resulted from Mr.Graham’s involvement with the Timeshare Cancellation Law Group (TCLG)–which he founded–and Timeshare Attorneys of America (TAA), which TCLG acquired. Mr.Graham failed to conduct due diligence as to TAA personnel and court-imposed restrictions on TAA’s activities. He also failed to adequately supervise individuals performing work on behalf of timeshare clients or to ensure that certain lawyers were authorized to offer legal services in jurisdictions where they were engaged in the practice of law. Additionally, Mr. Graham failed to adequately communicate with timeshare clients or to receive authorization from them to share information with third parties assisting TCLG/TAA.’
On October 21, 2022, the State Bar of Arizona and Graham filed an Agreement for Discipline by Consent where it resolved a formal complaint against Graham on July 28, 2022.
According to the Agreement for Discipline by Consent:
‘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 admission and proposed form of discipline is approved.’
With the foregoing facts and discussions, the presiding disciplinary judge accepted the Agreement for Discipline by Consent.
The Disposition reads:
“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Christopher D. Graham, Bar No. 019105, is suspended for 61 days for his conduct in violation of the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct, as outlined in the consent documents.”
Graham was also ordered placed on probation for 18 months with terms upon his reinstatement including LRO MAP assessment and monitoring. Graham 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 Graham and ordered to be paid within 30 days of the Judgment and Order.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr. Graham is the owner of Christopher D. Graham, PLLC. He is a trust and estate attorney serving Gilbert, Arizona. He graduated from the Arizona State College of Law in 1998. Graham has been admitted to practice in Arizona.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
