PHOENIX – Attorney Devin Andrich of Phoenix was disbarred from the practice of law for violating the Rules of Professional Conduct.

On Sept. 24, 2014, a Supreme Court Hearing Panel rendered its decision to disbar Devin Andrich from the practice of law, which was then challenged with an appeal. Because he failed to file an opening brief, the Arizona Supreme Court dismissed his appeal on April 23, 2015, and the Presiding Disciplinary Judge issued his final judgement and order of disbarment on May 21, 2015.

Prior to his disbarment, Andrich was serving an interim suspension that was ordered on March 24, 2014.

Andrich was retained by clients on a variety of legal matters, several of which paid their fees, but received little or nothing in return. In some cases, his negligence caused them actual harm.

The Hearing Panel found that Andrich defrauded two clients of $135,000, which he was holding in trust for them; was not diligent in his representation; billed a client for services he did not provide; failed to provide client files upon termination of representation; misrepresented the status of a client case; failed to promptly respond to client requests for information; and. He lied to clients during representation and to the State Bar during its investigation.

In addition, Andrich filed complaints against his clients without a good-faith basis in law or fact, with an intent to delay, harass, and burden defendants.

Disciplinary proceedings revealed several aggravating factors which led to Andrich’s disbarment. He intentionally failed to comply with rules or orders of the Supreme Court; submitted false evidence and made false statements; engaged in deceptive practices; refused to acknowledge wrongful nature of misconduct; and was indifferent to restitution and illegal conduct.

Because his appeal was dismissed, Devin Andrich’s disbarment was effective on the original order date of Sept. 24, 2014. He was ordered to pay former clients $138,500 in restitution and $4,020.10 to the State Bar of Arizona for costs and expenses incurred during its investigation.

Adding to the matter, Andrich was charged and ultimately plead guilty to the following criminal acts: Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a Class 2 Felony; Theft, a Class 3 Felony; and Forgery, a Class 4 Felony. He is currently serving a three and one-half year prison sentence. As part of his plea bargain, Andrich agreed to pay restitution to numerous former clients in the total combined amount of $395,624.86.

Consumers may report attorney misconduct by calling the State Bar of Arizona Attorney/Consumer Assistance Program (A/CAP) hotline at 602.340.7280.   back...