PHOENIX AZ (March 22, 2013) – The three-member hearing panel led by the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Arizona Supreme Court issued an order disbarring lawyer Ryan M. Wackerly of Phoenix, Arizona, on March 5, 2013. Wackerly’s disbarment resulted from his abandonment of a client’s employment law matter after collecting $3,500.00 in fees and failing to issue a refund.

Wackerly failed to respond to the State Bar’s screening letter issued on July 18, 2012. A State Bar investigator subsequently hand-delivered a copy of the screening letter and he again failed to respond.

Wackerly’s disbarment follows prior disciplinary actions. On October 15, 2012, he was suspended from the State Bar for six months and one day. The October 2012 suspension was ordered after Wackerly failed to comply with a reprimand and two year probation term from a March 20, 2012 sanction.

The March 2012 reprimand and probation required Wackerly participate in the State Bar’s Member Assistance Program (MAP). He failed to fully comply with the terms outlined by MAP, which resulted in additional action by the State Bar. The Bar then filed a Notice of Non-Compliance with Terms of Probation with the Arizona Supreme Court that resulted in a subsequent disciplinary hearing.

Wackerly failed to appear at the hearing concerning his violation.

Wackerly’s disbarment was effective March 5, 2013. He was ordered to pay complainant restitution in the amount of $3,500 as well as $2,039.98 to the State Bar of Arizona for all costs and expenses associated with the disciplinary proceedings.

This SedonaEye.com article written and submitted by Alberto Rodriquez.

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