Arizona Takes Step to Scrap Rule That Keeps Big Four Out (1)

An Arizona task force is urging the state’s supreme court to end restrictions on nonlawyer co-ownership of law firms to close the “access to justice gap,” which could crack open the door to the Big Four accountancies.

The Arizona Task Force on the Delivery of Legal Services in an Oct. 4 report requested the removal of state bar Rule 5.4, the “explicit barrier” to lawyers and nonlawyers co-owning businesses that engage in the practice of law.

“A sentiment that resounded within the workgroup was that lawyers have the ethical obligation to assure legal services are available to the public,” the ...