Hiring a Business Lawyer in Arizona
How to form an LLC in Arizona, the state fees and yearly filings, how to check a lawyer's license, and the state bar's fee rules. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Arizona: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Arizona's ER 1.5 (Arizona Supreme Court Rule 42), the scope of representation and the basis or rate of the fee must be communicated to the client in writing, and contingency fee agreements must be signed by the client and meet ER 1.5(c). Contingency fees are not permitted in most family law matters or in any criminal defense case. If a fee is called nonrefundable or earned on receipt, the client must be told in writing that they may discharge the lawyer at any time and may be entitled to a refund. The bar's guidance also notes a contingency agreement cannot let the lawyer also take court-awarded fees or collect more than a statute allows. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The State Bar of Arizona's Fee Arbitration Program is free and voluntary for clients who dispute a lawyer's fee; the amount in dispute must be $1,000 or more and no litigation over the fee can be pending. Clients do not need a lawyer to take part. If both sides agree to arbitrate, the award is binding. Phone: 602-340-7379. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | Arizona's Client Protection Fund, created by the Arizona Supreme Court in 1961, can reimburse losses caused by an Arizona lawyer's dishonest conduct (theft, embezzlement, conversion, failure to refund unearned fees when no work was done, or intentional dishonesty) toward a client or in a qualifying fiduciary role. The lawyer generally must have been suspended for more than six months, disbarred, placed on interim suspension or disability inactive status, have died, or been convicted of a related felony. Negligence, malpractice and fee disputes where some work was done are not covered. The Trustees may pay up to $100,000 on one claim and up to $250,000 total in claims against one lawyer; payment is discretionary. Claims must be filed within five years of when the claimant knew or should have known of the dishonest conduct. |
Arizona rules to know first
| How to form an LLC | File Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), online through the Arizona Business Center (ABC) or on paper. The articles must give the LLC's name, principal address, statutory agent, and whether it is member-managed or manager-managed, with the names and addresses of members (or of managers and 20%-or-more members). The ACC estimates regular processing at typically 14–16 days and expedited processing at typically 3–5 days. The ACC posts current processing times weekly on its website. |
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| LLC filing fee | Articles of Organization cost $50.00 with regular processing or $85.00 with expedited processing. The Commission's FAQ says Articles of Organization can be filed online for $85. Optional accelerated review costs extra: $100 (next day), $200 (same day) or $400 (2-hour). |
| Registered agent | Arizona calls the registered agent a "statutory agent." Every LLC must designate and maintain one with a place of business or residence in Arizona. It may be an individual Arizona resident (at least 18, per the ACC), a domestic corporation or LLC, or a foreign corporation or LLC authorized to do business in Arizona. The agent must accept the appointment. To change the agent, file an LLC Statement of Change of Principal Address or Statutory Agent ($5.00 regular, $40.00 expedited). Failing to keep a statutory agent can lead to administrative dissolution. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
| Annual report | The ACC states: "No, LLCs are not required to file annual reports. Only corporations are required to file annual reports." |
| Operating agreement | The ACC says the operating agreement is not filed with the ACC, but the LLC is required to keep a copy in its company records. Under Arizona law an operating agreement can be oral, implied, written, or a combination. |
| Closing an LLC | To end an LLC, file Articles of Termination with the ACC: $35.00 (regular) or $70.00 (expedited). The fee schedule also lists a Notice of Winding Up at $10.00 (regular) or $45.00 (expedited). The ACC says LLCs that terminate voluntarily are permanently terminated and cannot be reinstated. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Arizona offers an online Find an Attorney member directory but does not describe a statewide lawyer referral service. The Arizona courts' Self-Service Center lists the county bar referral services instead: the Maricopa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, (602) 257-4434, which charges a small consultation fee, and the Pima County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, (520) 623-4625, which offers a 30-minute consultation for a fee. State Bar public page: https://www.azbar.org/for-the-public/ |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The State Bar of Arizona's Member Directory lets you search lawyers by name or by legal need, with filters such as certified specialization, city, county, language and firm. Results show membership status, a State Bar admission-related date, practice area, professional liability insurance status, board-certified specializations and section memberships. Legal paraprofessionals and alternative business structures can also be looked up. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints ("bar charges") about Arizona lawyers, legal paraprofessionals and alternative business structures go to the State Bar of Arizona's Intake Department. The bar encourages calling the Intake Hotline (602-340-7280 or 800-319-0514 ext. 7280) before submitting a written charge, which can be filed with the online charge form. An Intake Bar Counsel reviews it, usually contacts the lawyer, and the matter may be dismissed, referred to diversion, or sent for screening investigation. The bar's "Check Legal Professional Discipline" link goes to its Member Directory. |
All legal help in Arizona · Background guide
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.