Phoenix AZ (September 10, 2013) – The Arizona Supreme Court ordered the suspension of Phoenix attorney Paul J. Mattern from the practice of law for six months.

On September 5, 2013, the judge accepted an agreement for discipline by consent between Mattern and the State Bar of Arizona and ordered Mattern suspended effective November 4, 2013.

During the State Bar of Arizona’s investigation, Mattern was found to have failed to meet court deadlines, failed to reasonably communicate with at least one client, and failed to appear for hearings while representing clients in post conviction relief matters. The investigation also found that Mattern sent unprofessional text messages at an early hour to another attorney.

In addition to the suspension, Mattern was ordered to pay $1,200 to the State Bar of Arizona for costs and expenses incurred during its investigation. If reinstated, he will be placed on probation for two years and will be required to participate in the Bar’s Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP).

Consumers may report attorney misconduct by calling the State Bar of Arizona Attorney/Consumer Assistance Program (A/CAP) hotline at 1-602-340-7280.

The State Bar of Arizona is a non-profit organization that operates under the supervision of the Arizona Supreme Court. The Bar includes approximately 17,000 active attorneys and provides education and development programs for the legal profession and the public. Since 1933 the Bar and its members have been committed to serving the public by making sure the voices of all people in Arizona are heard in our justice system.

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

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