PHOENIX (CBS5/AP) -
The State Bar of Arizona has suspended attorneys Joseph W. Charles, of Glendale, and Daniel P. Jensen, of Tempe, from the practice of law for violating the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The presiding disciplinary judge of the Arizona Supreme Court accepted a consent agreement between the two lawyers and ordered that Charles be suspended from the practice of law for six months and Jensen be suspended for six months and one day, retroactive to May 20, 2011.
Charles was already serving a six-month suspension when an additional six months was added on after being negligent in handling his trust account, engaging in a pattern of neglect of client matters and failing to ensure those clients, opposing counsel, and the courts were alerted of his prior suspensions.
He was ordered to pay $1,603.93 to the State Bar of Arizona for costs and expenses incurred during its investigation and must participate in fee arbitration with clients who file a petition for fee arbitration.
If reinstated, he will be placed on probation for two years.
In the matter of Jensen, the bar found that he failed to communicate the scope of his representation and the basis or rate of the fee and expenses that his client would incur, failed to file an answer to a group that filed a complaint against his client and failed to return clients' calls and emails.
Jensen was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution and $1,200 to the State Bar of Arizona for costs and expenses incurred during its investigation.
If reinstated, he will be placed on two years of probation.
Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
