On August 9, 2022, the Presiding Judge of the Arizona Supreme Court suspended Phoenix attorney Craig W. Broadbent for 6 months and 1 day and ordered the latter to pay the costs and expenses incurred by the State Bar of Arizona in the amount of $1,231.31. 

The case, titled ‘In the Matter of Craig W. Broadbent,’ was brought by the State Bar of Arizona. Case number #2022-9006.

In 2020, Mr. Broadbent represented a client in civil proceedings pending in both state and federal court. He failed to adequately communicate with his client or with opposing counsel, and he failed to diligently pursue his client’s cases. When Mr. Broadbent received an offer of settlement from defense counsel in the federal case, he failed to inform his client of the offer. He also failed to advise his client that the federal court granted a defense motion for summary judgment, dismissing with prejudice all but one count. The remaining count was later dismissed due to Mr. Broadbent’s non-compliance with a court order, but Mr. Broadbent failed to advise his client of the dismissal and affirmatively misled him about the status of the matter. In the state court case, Mr.Broadbent misled his client about what had transpired at several hearings. When Mr.Broadbent moved to withdraw from the state court proceeding, he divulged information protected by ER 1.6 and accused his client of theft and potential perjury.

Mr. Broadbent was charged with violating Rule 42, Ariz. R. Sup. Ct., ERs 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.16 (terminating representation), 3.4(c) (knowing disobedience of obligation under rules of a tribunal), 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation), and 8.4(d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice).

On August 9, 2022, Presiding Disciplinary Judge Margaret H. Downie accepted the  Agreement for Discipline by Concept dated July 27, 2022.

The order reads:

“IT IS ORDERED that Respondent CRAIG W.BROADBENT, Bar No. 029032, is suspended from the practice of law in Arizona for six months and one day, effective 30 days from the date of this order.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondent comply with the requirements relating to notification of clients and others and provide and/or file all notices and affidavits required by Rule 72, Ariz. R. Sup. Ct.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if Respondent is reinstated after his term of suspension, he shall be placed on probation for a period of two (2) years….

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondent pay the costs and expenses of the State Bar of Arizona in the amount of $1,231.31, within 30 days of the date of this order.”

As of today, Broadbent is a practicing lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona, and the managing attorney at Saddleworth Law, PLLC. He earned his law degree at the University of Utah in 2011.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.