Skip to main content
On Demand

Arizona ABS Law Firm Licensing: After Two Years, How Goes This Program?


Total Credits: 3 CLE, 3 Ethics

Average Rating:
   18
Categories:
Ethics
Faculty:
Suzanne Porter |  Amy K Rehm |  Lynda C Shely
Format:
Audio and Video
Original Program Date:
May 19, 2023


Description

Two years after implementation of this program learn how Arizona alternative business structure (ABS) law firms are operating and what is required to apply for a license (and thereafter).  The panel will cover:

  • How the ABS application process is working
  • What information must be provided for licensure 
  • Which firms have been licensed so far and their practice areas 
  • When changes to the ABS firm must be reported to the Court
  • What is required for the semi-annual compliance audits
  • What happens if a Bar charge is filed against the firm (and lawyers in the firm)

         
Faculty:
Suzanne Porter,  Legal Service Innovations Officer, Arizona Supreme Court 
Amy Rehm, Deputy Chief Bar Counsel, State Bar of Arizona
Lynda C. Shely, The Shely Firm PC

Handouts

Faculty

Suzanne Porter's Profile

Suzanne Porter Related Seminars and Products

Managing Attorney

NewMarket Law LLC


Suzanne Porter is the Founder and Managing Attorney of NewMarket Law LLC, a firm specializing in alternative business structure (ABS) strategy and compliance. Prior to launching NewMarket Law, Suzanne held roles in global law firms, academia, in-house, and court leadership. In 2020, just weeks after the Arizona Supreme Court voted to modernize its legal ethics rules, she joined the court to help build the first ABS program in North America. Since then, Suzanne has worked with applicants, licensees, and other stakeholders leveraging regulatory reforms to improve innovation in the delivery of legal services and expand access to justice. Suzanne is an active member of the legal community, serving as a resource to the Arizona Supreme Court, the State Bar of Arizona, and the Arizona Bar Foundation where she currently holds a number of Board and Committee appointments. She is also a member of the National ABS Law Firm Association, the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers, and the Arizona Women Lawyers Association. Suzanne earned her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, and her B.Sc. and LL.M. from the University of Toronto. She is licensed in Arizona, New York, Ontario, and is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.


Amy K Rehm Related Seminars and Products

Deputy Chief Bar Counsel

State Bar of Arizona


Amy K. Rehm currently serves as the Deputy Chief Bar Counsel at the State Bar of Arizona. Amy graduated from Miami University in 1991 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. In 1994, she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Dayton School of Law where she was a member of the law review. After graduation, Amy served as a staff attorney at the Twelfth District Court of Appeals in Ohio. Upon relocating to Arizona in 1996, Amy worked as a Deputy County Attorney at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office in the vehicular crimes bureau. Since joining the State Bar of Arizona, Amy has served as staff bar counsel, senior bar counsel, and Director of Litigation prior to assuming her current role as Deputy Chief Bar Counsel. In her current position, Amy is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the Lawyer Regulation Division. Amy frequently serves as faculty for continuing legal education courses on ethics and professional responsibility as well as serving on other committees in those areas.


Lynda C Shely's Profile

Lynda C Shely Related Seminars and Products

Rosing Pott & Strohbehn


Lynda C. Shely is a partner in the Phoenix, Arizona office of Rosing Pott & Strohbehn (in partnership with Zelms Erlich Lenkov) where she provides legal ethics, risk management, and ABS regulatory advice to lawyers, law firms, and law firm investors. She was the 2020-2023 chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, an Arizona Delegate in the ABA House of Delegates, and currently volunteers with several other nonbillable entities involved in legal ethics matters, including as a member of the Arizona Supreme Court’s Alternative Business Structure Committee, the Arizona Supreme Court’s Committee on AI in the Courts, the ABA Standing Committee on Professional Regulation, and the State Bar of Arizona Ethics Advisory Group. She is a past president of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers, the Scottsdale Bar Association, and the National ABS Law Firm Association. She has been an adjunct professor at all Arizona law schools, teaching professional responsibility. Lynda has received several awards for her contributions to the legal community including the 2007 State Bar of Arizona Member of the Year Award, the 2022 Maricopa County Bar Member of the Year Award, the 2023 Maricopa County Bar Hall of Fame, and the 2024 Arizona Women Lawyers' Association Annual Sarah Herring Sorin Award. Lynda had her own law firm for 21 years before joining Rosing Pott & Strohbehn. Prior to opening her own firm, Lynda was the Director of Lawyer Ethics for the State Bar of Arizona. Before moving to Arizona, Lynda was an attorney with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in Washington, DC. Lynda received her BA from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA and her JD from Catholic University in Washington, DC.


Reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Overall:      4.6

Total Reviews: 18

Comments

John L

"The speakers were full of insights on the ABS application and renewal process and described in detail the sorts of things the ABS committee and Supreme Court are looking for from applicants. They put meat on the bones to show what a "designated principal," a "compliance lawyer" and an "authorized person" are. "

Naiomy M

"Would like to see a more recent ABS CLE with more up-to-date info."

Scott C

"Speakers were prepared and knew the subject matter. "

Jeffrey M

"Overall coverage of topic"

Rebekah B

"Great panelists; very knowledgeable "

Kathleen B

"great presenters and solid info. thank you for including the audit sample."

Yoonho J

"Good, detailed, relevant information was presented."

Nancy C

"Very good info"

James M

"Speakers' knowledge"

Boris Z

"The panel hit on the main topics in detail and included things that have come up in practice since the ABS rules became effective. They also discussed the practical and not just the theoretical."