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Last Post 09 May 2009 03:10 PM by  jmillet
R-08-0014 Petition to Amend Supreme Court Rule 42
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StateBarAZ
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06 May 2008 09:41 AM
    R-08-0014

    PETITION TO AMEND RULE 42, RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT

    TO ALLOW A LAWYER TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION RELATING TO THE REPRESENTATION OF A CLIENT TO PREVENT REASONABLY CERTAIN DEATH OR SUBSTANTIAL BODILY HARM.

    Petitioner:
    Robert B. Van Wyck
    Chief Bar Counsel
    State Bar of Arizona
    4201 N. 24th Street, Suite 200
    Phoenix, AZ 85016-6288
    Phone: 602 340-7241
    Fax: 602 271-4930

    Filed May 7, 2008

    ADOPTED as modified, effective January 1, 2010.
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    jmillet
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    09 May 2009 03:10 PM
    Jonathan A. Millet, Esq.
    125 North Granite Street
    Prescott, Arizona 86301-3001
    (928) 445-0122

    I support this rule change but would strike the following example from the proposed comment as unnecessary:

    Thus, a lawyer who knows that a client has accidentally discharged toxic waste into a town's water supply may reveal this information to the authorities if there is a present and substantial risk that a person who drinks the water will contract a life-threatening or debilitating disease and the lawyer's disclosure is necessary to eliminate the threat or reduce the number of victims.

    This example is based on speculation and diminishes the "reasonably certain" requirement. Furthermore, environmental law is a poor example to for a generally applicable rule. The proposed comment is not diminished by striking the example.

    Jonathan A. Millet, Esq.


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