Vannucci responds to Bar Association

Thank you for your time last week in discussing the anonymous complaint the State Bar received which was directed at me. I wish to remind you that I do not yet have the itemized list of potential infractions we discussed which were evidently alleged in this anonymous complaint. I also appreciate the frank way you acknowledged that many complaints the Bar processes originate from personal vendettas– from persons seeking to use the Bar for their personal gain. Again, I refer you to the last file in 2004 which was virtually identical in nature, having originated from the same source, and obviously a personal vendetta and an unrestrained attempt to use the Bar process to injure me.

I  would be disappointed if the Bar persists in any meaningful investigation of this anonymous complaint  in light of the similarities it shares with the 2004 issue. Please keep in mind I have not made any attempt to solicit legal business in Arizona or render any legal opinions to a member of the public. Indeed, given the fact I was in the employ of other attorneys for much of that time, I would not have had any opportunity to seek legal business for myself. Therefore, while  the Bar cannot have any evidence I attempted to solicit Arizona residents for legal work, it is plain it has ample evidence of the vicious local political fight that engendered this complaint and the previous one in 2004.

I  would be similarly disappointed  if the Bar Association would even consider entertaining an anonymous complaint against any attorney. It deprives the victim of his or her fundamental right  to confront the actual accuser–a bedrock principle of the American legal system.   

I am also disappointed and concerned to find the Bar provided information about the complaint to the Arizona Republic. I feel this breached the Bar’s obligation to protect my privacy until any meaningful investigation had been completed and I was either exonerated or proven guilty. I have been an attorney in other jurisdictions for 33 years. I have a sterling record in Illinois for those decades  and an equally unimpeached record for eight years in Iowa.

It is my understanding that ordinarily the State Bar’s board, program staff, and court employees shall keep information and documents obtained or generated in the course of an open investigation confidential except as mandated by public record rules adopted by the Supreme Court or by Sec.7‑208(H). I only wish the policy had been maintained in my case.

I hope the Bar will bear in mind that I have spent my winters here in Arizona  in dedicated service to my community. Phoenix City Council members and County Supervisors will attest to my dedication, efforts and many hours of community service. As a result of my work in the community, I have been the victim, along with others, of scurrilous personal attacks from this unscrupulous political opposition. The same source that sent the Bar this anonymous complaint against me has attacked them as well.

I have rendered service on many fronts, from chairman of the Maricopa County Merit Commissions to committee work in Phoenix, and for many of my efforts have been publicly recognized. Phoenix Council members and County Supervisors, as well as members of the general public who have supported my efforts, are saddened that such a vicious article appeared in the Arizona Republic. Several have mentioned to me how surprised they were that the Republic article appeared to have been encouraged by  the Bar. Their disappointment increased when I advised them the article appeared prior to any notice of this anonymous complaint having been received by me. They feel it was patently unfair that I did not receive notice from the Bar until after the Republic article was published.

Turning to a point you brought up in our discussion, I hope the Bar can understand that I have worked hard to attain my JD. I did not know using that hard‑earned academic designation after my name would offend an Arizona Bar rule. It seemed to me it is an academic and not “professional” designation. Further, I did not know I should place the word “retired” after any mention of my Illinois license, especially since that license had been placed inactive until I chose to become active again by paying current dues, and I am now in the process of reinstating same.

Once again, I assure you I have no intent to infringe on the Arizona Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct. I am more than willing to discuss with the Bar any concerns it has that I may have so infringed. I assure you any  perceived transgressions were unintentional and have been on letterhead or filings which were intended for my personal use or personal remarks among friends, with no intention of public distribution.

I particularly want to forestall any possible issue with the Bar inasmuch as I had prepared, long before this anonymous complaint, my application for admission to the Arizona Bar. At this point I am only awaiting my Iowa State Bar letter of Good Standing to submit my application. I intend to take the next examination and seek admission. So, I am sure you can understand that I do not want this anonymous complaint to taint my application.

I welcome your further questions. I am including in this mailing a copy of two news articles, demonstrating how the Bar’s information was used to damage my reputation in my community.

Sara Vannucci

Cave Creek