dmq@azethicslaw.com

About Denise

Denise M. Quinterri concentrates her practice on ethics, lawyer discipline, and professional responsibility. After graduating from the University of Arizona College of Law, Denise joined the law firm of Quarles & Brady Streich Lang LLP, as an associate practicing in the litigation section.

She then served as Bar Counsel for the State Bar of Arizona for several years, where she was personally responsible for investigating and processing a wide variety of lawyer discipline matters and litigating formal attorney discipline cases before hearing officers and the Disciplinary Commission of the Arizona Supreme Court. Denise then went back into private practice, initially working with David Dodge at Dodge Anderson, where she and Mr. Dodge handled the lawyer ethics and regulatory matters undertaken by the firm. In 2008, Denise opened her own firm, although she maintains close ties with Mr. Dodge (www.azlawyerlaw.com).

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Denise provides affordable representation for lawyers in professional discipline, from initial Bar investigations (“Bar complaints”) to formal proceedings before the Presiding Disciplinary Judge or the Supreme Court. She counsels and represents individuals applying for the Bar with regard to the Character and Fitness process. She advises and consults on general professional responsibility issues and provides the occasional opinion letter.  She also presents continuing legal education (“CLE”) programs and provides advice and/or representation in fee disputes.

In the course of her practice, Denise has processed hundreds of lawyer discipline inquiries and litigated dozens of formal cases. Denise knows the process and she knows the case law. If you are an attorney in need of ethics advice or representation in a disciplinary or character and fitness proceeding, Denise can most likely help you. If she cannot help, she will direct you to someone who can.

*Confidential references from current and past clients may be provided upon request

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS

  • What You Should Know: Legal Ethics Pitfalls and Hot Issues Attorneys Encounter (American Bar Association, webinar, 2019)
  • Ethics Smorgasbord (Third Annual CLE Marathon, SPSFAZ, 2019)
  • Mandatory Lawyer Liability Insurance—The Listserv Debate Continued (Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers conference, Las Vegas, 2019)
  • Hot Off the ListServ: Ethics Issues that Have Sparked Debate and Engaged Us (Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers Conference, Chicago, 2018)
  • Super Strange Seven: Outcomes You Might Not Expect (Second Annual CLE Marathon, SPSFAZ.org, 2018)
  • Firm Feud: The Great Ethics Battle (ASU Law, 2017)
  • How Recent Changes to Arizona's Ethics Rules Will Change How You Practice (Lorman, 2016)
  • Ethical Jeopardy (APRL and NOBC joint session, 2016) (Prepared materials but another speaker had to cover due to work conflict)
  • 1rst Annual Conference on Ethics and Professional Responsibility (ASU Law, 2014)
  • Admissions/Character & Fitness Update (Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers, Dallas, TX, 2013)
  • Common Ethics Issues in Consumer Debt Practice (ASU Law, 2013)
  • Applied Ethics: The Intersection of Discipline and Malpractice (MCBA, 2013)
  • The Ethics Quiz Show, Exploring the Intersection of Discipline and Malpractice (ASU Law, 2013)
  • My Partners’ Keeper: Legal Ethics for Lawyer Supervisors and Supervised Lawyers (ABA, 2013)
  • Ethics Tips for Young Attorneys (State Bar YLD, 2012)
  • 50 Ways to Avoid Malpractice Claims and Bar Complaints (MCBA, 2012)
  • Ethics for Business & Real Estate Lawyers (AZ School of Real Estate & Business, 2011)
  • State Regulation of Federal Practice (Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers, San Francisco, CA, 2010)
  • Changes to the Lawyer Discipline Process for 2011: Lawyers Who Represent Lawyers Explain What You Need to Know (MCBA, 2010)
  • Changes to Ethics Rules and Trust Account Audits: Lawyers Who Represent Lawyers Explain What You Need to Know (MCBA, 2009)
  • BEWARE OF BAR COMPLAINTS: What You Need to Know About the Attorney Discipline Process (Arizona Attorney General’s office, 2009)
  • Attorney-Client Privilege Distinguished from Confidentiality (MCBA, 2009)
  • Character and Fitness Process (Phoenix School of Law, 2009)
  • Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Character and Fitness Report (U of A College of Law, 2009)
  • Ethics for Lawyers (Arizona School of Real Estate and Business, 2008, 2010, 2012)
  • Various Pupilage presentations for Horace Rumpole Inn of Court (2005-2010, 2013)
  • Lawyers Behaving Badly (2008)
  • Bar Complaints Wearing You Down? Ethical Considerations for the Criminal Defense Contract Lawyer (2008)
  • Legal Ethics: Duties & Guidelines (2008)
  • Ethics Update and Tips (2007)
  • State Bar Ethical Trends Today (2007)
  • State Bar Convention: Arizona Foundation for Law Related Education: Does Your Life Feel Unbalanced? (2007)
  • State Bar Trust Account Ethics Enhancement Program (“TAEEP”) (2005)
  • State Bar Ethical Morning at the Movies (2005)
  • State Bar of Arizona Course on Professionalism (2004, 2005)
  • Pro Bono and Ethical Issues (2002, 2003)
  • Legal Rights of Detained Immigrant Children (2001)

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • ABA SCPR, Sub-Committee on ABA Standards (2020-2021)
  • ABA Standing Committee on Professional Regulation (2019-2020)
  • Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers Specialization Committee (2015-2017)
  • Austin Bar Association Fee Arbitration Committee (Co-Chair 2015)
  • Association of Sole Practitioners and Small Firms of Arizona, Steering Committee (2014-2015)
  • Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers Welcome Committee (2014)
  • Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers Programs Committee (2012-13)
  • Joint Committee on ABA Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions (National Organization of Bar Counsel and Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers, 2010-11)
  • President, Horace Rumpole Inn of Court (2008-09)
  • President Elect, Horace Rumpole Inn of Court (2007-08)
  • Advisory Committee, Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP), 2002-05
  • EDUCATION AND HONORS

    J.D., cum laude, University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law
    B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, University of Arizona, Sociology

    • AV Preeminent Rating Martindale-Hubbell
    • Arizona’s Finest Lawyers (Peer Review Nominated) (2014)
    • President's Commendation for Outstanding Service to the Cause of Criminal Justice (AACJ, 2010)
    • Mark Santana Award for Exceptional Contributions in Law-Related Education, 2006
    • Volunteer Lawyers Program: Attorney of the Month, 2006
    • Volunteer Lawyers Program Advisory Committee, 2002-2005
    • Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education: Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys of Arizona, 2003
    • Volunteer Lawyers Program: New Attorney of the Year, 2002
    • Outstanding Appellate Brief Award, Moot Court Competition
    • Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law: Greatest Contribution by Second Year Writer

    PUBLISHED ARTICLES

    • “Inside Counsel as a Member of the Board of Directors,” with David D. Dodge, Corporate Practice Series of The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (September 2007)