Lawyers Who Serve as In-House Counsel Must Now Register with the State Bar of Arizona

The Arizona Supreme Court recently ruled that lawyers who serve as in-house counsel for companies or non-profit organizations in Arizona must now register with the State Bar.

In-house counsel employed in Arizona as of January 1, 2009, are required to register within 180 days; those employed after January 1, 2009, have 90 days to register.

Previously, attorneys who serve as in-house counsel were not required to register with the State Bar of Arizona.

“The new rule will provide an opportunity for lawyers licensed in other states, but living and working in Arizona, to become involved in the State Bar of Arizona,” said Ed Novak, president of the State Bar’s Board of Governors. “In-house counsel will be able to participate in Bar activities, benefit from Bar services, and network with other lawyers in Arizona.”

In-house counsel working in Arizona must now meet the mandatory continuing legal education requirements of at least one state bar. They are now subject to the disciplinary and disability jurisdiction of the Arizona Supreme Court, and must pay 75 percent of the State Bar of Arizona’s annual membership fee.

The Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling (R-08-0006) does not affect in-house counsel already admitted to practice in Arizona. Those affected include attorneys whose principal office is located in Arizona and are employed as in-house counsel or a related position for a for-profit or non-profit entity.