A staff member answers Ethics Hotline calls and provides the caller’s inquiry to Ethics Counsel. Ethics Counsel will call the inquiring attorney within one to two business days, excluding holidays. If your matter is time sensitive, Ethics Counsel will prioritize your call, but cannot guarantee an exact callback time.

No. Inquiring attorneys are required to disclose name and bar number when calling the Hotline.

Yes. Ethics Counsel will not disclose any information relating to Ethics Hotline calls to anyone outside the Ethics Department unless (a) the inquiring attorney requests disclosure, (b) a court orders disclosure, or (c) the inquiring attorney discloses that he or she relied on advice from the Ethics Hotline in response to a disciplinary matter.

Yes. Ethics Counsel will create a detailed log of the call, including date and time of the call, a summary of the caller’s question, and the advice provided. These records are maintained confidentially within the Ethics Department and cannot be accessed by other departments within the State Bar of Arizona.

No. The opinions and advice of Ethics Counsel are provided for the inquiring attorney’s information only.

No, but an attorney may use calls to the Ethics Hotline and reliance on Ethics Hotline advice as mitigating evidence during a disciplinary investigation.

No. The Ethics Hotline provides telephonic advice only. The Ethics Hotline does not provide informal written opinions or advice via email.