Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-3_06-cv-02429/USCOURTS-azd-3_06-cv-02429-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

James Oliver,

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Mr. Chris Long,

Ms. Sandra Wagner,

Defendants. 

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No. CV-06-2429-PCT-LOA

ORDER

 The Court has received a personal letter from attorney Dudley S. Welker,

counsel for Defendant Chris Long, entitled "Non registration of Dudley S. Welker as an

attorney for electronic filing" and mailed directly to the undersigned. The letter describes Mr.

Welker's long history as an Arizona attorney and judge and then apologizes for not

registering as an electronic filer as required for lawyers appearing in the District Court for

the District of Arizona.

Because the letter does not reflect that copies of the letter were mailed to pro se

Plaintiff and all counsel of record, the Court deems the letter to be an innocent but arguably

a prohibited ex-parte communication with the Court even though the letter does not discuss

the merits of the case pending before the undersigned. San Carlos Apache Tribe v. Bolton

ex rel. County of Maricopa, 194 Ariz. 68, 977 P.2d 790, 794 (Ariz. 1999) ("[W]ith some

exceptions, 'all parties or their lawyers shall be included in communications with a judge.'”

(citation omitted)); ER 3.5(b), Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct, Ariz. R.S.Ct. 42, 17A

Case 3:06-cv-02429-LOA Document 32 Filed 03/23/07 Page 1 of 2
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A.R.S. ("A lawyer shall not: (a) seek to influence a judge, juror, prospective juror or other

official of a tribunal by means prohibited by law; . . .") Like the lawyer in San Carlos

Apache Tribe, Mr. Welker is cautioned against initiating ex parte communications with an

adjudication judge. Id. at 796.

Except for this Order, the letter will be filed herein with no action or response

taken by the Court. Plaintiff and all counsel are directed to comply with Rule 5(a),

FED.R.CIV.P., regarding all future pleadings, letters or other writings in this matter and to

reflect such mailings on the pleading or document itself.

Accordingly,

IT IS ORDERED directing the Clerk to file the attached letters in the Court’s

file.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk shall mail or electronically deliver

a complete copy of this letter to the pro se Plaintiff and all counsel of record.

Dated this 22nd day of March, 2007.

Case 3:06-cv-02429-LOA Document 32 Filed 03/23/07 Page 2 of 2