After the State Bar of Arizona refused to meet with the National Action Network (NAN), Phoenix chapter (Rev. Al Sharpton's group) over its targeting of conservative attorneys, minority attorneys, and sole practitioners/small firms, NAN, in conjunction with the National Action Network Western Regional Office, responded with the following letter to the bar's CEO Joel England. NAN had asked the bar about four attorneys who were targeted, IC Editor Rachel Alexander, Sheree Wright, Holly Marshall and Vladimir Gagic. Read NAN's initial letter about their situations here.
NAN Phoenix Metro Response to Your Recent Correspondence on May 2nd, 2025
Dear Mr. England,
Thank you for your response. While we acknowledge your decision not to meet with us, we would like to respectfully address several points raised in your letter.
You noted that the tone and content of our prior response influenced your decision to forgo further discussion. While we understand that written communication can be interpreted in a variety of ways, we want to be clear that we stand by the manner in which the concerns were expressed around the discriminatory and retaliation practices within the Arizona State Bar. Our communication was intended to be direct, principled, and grounded in the serious nature of the issues being raised. Tone, especially in written form, is highly subjective and can easily be misread without the benefit of voice or context.
Furthermore, we would be remiss not to point out that the National Action Network is a community-based organization that exists to advocate on behalf of individuals whose voices are too often ignored or marginalized. To characterize the response as having a “negative tone” is not only a personal assessment—it can also be perceived as a broader dismissal of the very individuals and communities this organization represents. It is deeply troubling that a sincere effort to raise legitimate issues has been met with a refusal to engage further. It is essential that institutions remain open to hearing uncomfortable truths, particularly when they come from those advocating for equity and accountability.
We also want to clarify that the original invitation extended by you was to provide an overview of the disciplinary process. It was not extended as a space to engage in a substantive discussion about the disparate treatment many individuals have faced. That distinction matters, as the concerns being raised are not simply procedural, they are systemic and lived.
Given your response, the National Action Network, Phoenix Metro, will pursue all available avenues to ensure that these issues and the voices of those affected are heard and addressed. This includes engagement with the media, public advocacy, and mobilizing our community. We are committed to bringing attention to these issues until they are addressed with the seriousness and integrity they deserve.
Thank you again for your time and consideration. We remain open to further dialogue should your position change.
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NAN previously issued the following press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23rd, 2025
The National Action Network Phoenix Metro Demands Accountability and Transparency from the Arizona State Bar Over Discriminatory and Retaliatory Practices.
Phoenix, Arizona — March 23rd, 2025 - The National Action Network (NAN) Phoenix Metro urgently calls for immediate accountability and transparency from the Arizona State Bar. The ongoing pattern of discriminatory and retaliatory actions against Black and Brown attorneys who have spoken out against systemic injustice cannot be tolerated. The recent public statement issued by the State Bar regarding Mrs. Sheree Wright is not just inappropriate; it raises serious ethical concerns about the impartiality and integrity of the regulatory body.
The Arizona State Bar's actions are not just troubling; they are deeply concerning. These include the improper public disclosure of sealed information, the weaponization of the disciplinary process against attorneys who challenge systemic inequities, and now, a deeply unprofessional statement that calls into question the fairness of its oversight.
Most egregiously, in response to media inquiries, the State Bar released the following statement: "The State Bar categorically denies Attorney Sheree Wright's assertions, which are without substantiation. Her statements concerning the State Bar are not unlike the unsubstantiated claims made about a Superior Court judge that resulted in her being admonished and placed on probation."
This statement is deeply unethical for a regulatory body, as it:
1. Strays from neutrality – The State Bar is entrusted with fair and impartial regulation, not retaliation. Drawing public comparisons to past discipline without a formal adjudication of any current matter is an apparent abandonment of objectivity.
2. Prejudices ongoing matters – If any complaint involving Attorney Sheree Wright is still open, such a statement directly undermines her right to a fair and unbiased process. No regulatory agency should ever make public statements that could taint ongoing proceedings.
3. Potentially breaches confidentiality – Publicly referencing a past disciplinary outcome in this manner, especially in response to press inquiries, is unprofessional and may violate the State Bar's confidentiality rules.
These actions reflect a broader and deeply concerning pattern of retaliation against attorneys of color who dare to challenge systemic inequities within the legal profession. The Arizona State Bar must be held accountable for its repeated failures to uphold ethical standards, particularly when wielding its authority in ways that silence and punish dissenting voices. If left unchecked, these actions could lead to a significant erosion of trust in the legal system and a perpetuation of systemic injustice.
We demand:
• A full and independent investigation into the Arizona State Bar's practices regarding disciplinary actions against attorneys of color.
• A formal review of the public statement made in Attorney Sheree Wright's case and whether it constitutes an ethics violation.
• Immediate policy reforms to ensure transparency, neutrality, and due process in all disciplinary matters.
The National Action Network Phoenix Metro, as a leading advocate for civil rights and justice, will not stand by while the State Bar engages in retaliatory and discriminatory conduct. We will conduct further reviews with Black and Brown attorneys facing retaliation for challenging systemic inequities within the legal profession. Additionally, we will call on community leaders and civil rights advocates to join us in demanding an end to these unjust practices.
https://nanphoenixmetro.net National Action Network (NAN) is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard justice, decency, and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality, or gender.
