Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_10-cv-01728/USCOURTS-azd-2_10-cv-01728-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Interpleader Action

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Though oral argument was requested on the Motion, because both the parties

submitted memoranda discussing the law and evidence in support of their positions and oral

argument would not have aided the Court’s decisional process, the Court will not set oral

argument. See e.g., Partridge v. Reich, 141 F.3d 920, 926 (9th Cir. 1998); Lake at Las Vegas

Investors Group, Inc. v. Pacific. Dev. Malibu Corp., 933 F.2d 724, 729 (9th Cir. 1991).

WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

PETER J. MIZIOCH, an Arizona resident,

Cross-Claimant, 

vs.

JIMMY RAY MONTOYA, an Arizona

resident, MARK CASEY MONTOYA, an

Arizona resident, RUSSELL LYNN

MONTOYA, an Arizona resident, 

Cross-Defendants. 

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No. CV10-01728-PHX-JAT

ORDER

Currently pending before the Court are Cross-claimant/Defendant Peter Mizioch’s

Motion for an Order Restricting Extrajudicial Comments by the Parties and Counsel and

Motion for an Order Shortening Time to Respond. Also pending is the Crossclaimant/Defendants Mark Montoya and Russell Montoya’s Motion to Disqualify Davis

Miles PLLC as Counsel for Peter Mizioch.1

 For the reasons set forth below, the Court denies

all three Motions.

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On March 9, 2011, this Court granted an order consolidating AXA Equitable Life

Insurance Company v. Peter Mizioch, et al. (CV10-02341-PHXROS), another interpleader

action, with Protective Life Insurance Company v. Peter Mizioch, et al. (CV10-1728). (Doc

111.) Both cases involve the proper beneficiary for life insurance policies on Phyllis

Mizioch.

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I. Background

Phyllis Mizioch (“Decedent”) died as a result of three gunshot wounds on July 6,

2010. After her death, Peter Mizioch (“Mr. Mizioch”) filed a claim with Protective Life

Insurance Company to collect a life insurance policy under which he was the primary

beneficiary. On August 13, 2010, Protective Life Insurance Company filed a complaint in

this Court over a concern that it could not identify the proper beneficiary of the life insurance

policy.2

 Although Peter Mizioch is the named beneficiary, Protective Life Insurance became

aware that he is a “person of interest” in the still unsolved murder case of the Decedent. In

the event that Mr. Mizioch were found to be involved in his wife’s murder, the life insurance

policy would revert to the estate, and Mark Montoya and Russell Montoya (“Montoyas”)

would then become beneficiaries of the life insurance policy.

II. Motion to Disqualify

Under Rule 83.2(e) of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure, “[t]he ‘Rules of

Professional Conduct,’ in the Rules of the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona, shall apply

to attorneys admitted or otherwise authorized to practice before the United States District

Court for the District of Arizona.” To disqualify an attorney for a violation of Rule 1.9 of the

Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct, the Court must determine (1) whether Mr. Montoya

is a former client of Davis Miles, and (2) whether, in representing Mr. Mizioch in the current

litigation, Davis Miles is “representing someone in the same or a substantially related matter

whose interests are materially adverse” to Mr. Montoya’s interests. Foulke v. Knuck, 784

P.2d 723, 726-27 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1989). The Court will consider both these questions in turn.

a. Former Client

An attorney-client relationship is proved “by showing that the party sought and

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received advice and assistance from the attorney in matters pertinent to the legal profession.”

Matter of Petrie, 742 P.2d 796, 800 (Ariz. 1987). The test is a subjective one, and the Court

must look at “the nature of the services rendered, the circumstances under which the

individual divulges confidences, and the client’s belief that he is consulting a lawyer in that

capacity and his manifested intention to seek professional legal advice.” Foulke, 784 P.2d

at 726 (internal citations and quotations omitted). Although payment for legal services is not

dispositive, such payment is “persuasive evidence that an attorney-client relationship was

established.” Id. 

In the “Declaration of Mark C. Montoya,” Exhibit B of the Motion to Disqualify,

Mark Montoya (“Mr. Montoya”) states that he first met Timothy D. Ronan, a lawyer with

Davis Miles, PLLC, ten years ago through an introduction from his stepfather, Peter J.

Mizioch. (Doc. 204, Exh. B at 1.) At that time, according to the Declaration, Mr. Mizioch

allegedly “encouraged [Mr. Montoya] to regard Mr. Ronan as [his] lawyer” and that if he had

“any legal issues [he] should call him for help.” (Id.) 

Mr. Montoya alleges in his Declaration that he sought Mr. Ronan’s advice on a

number of legal issues over the past five or six years, including: (1) his pending divorce, (2)

his post-divorce custody dispute, (3) his financial problems and pending bankruptcy, and (4)

his litigation with John McKindles concerning unpaid legal fees. (Id. at 2-3.) With regard to

his pending divorce, Mr. Montoya claims in his Declaration that he discussed “very personal

and financial issues involving assets, liabilities, divorce, my daughter, custody, and such”

with Mr. Ronan. (Id. at 2.) According to Mr. Montoya’s Declaration, Mr. Ronan did not

personally represent him in any of the above stated legal matters but rather referred him to

other attorneys who practice in the areas of divorce and bankruptcy. (Id. at 2-3.) Mr.

Montoya makes no mention in his Declaration of whether or not he paid for these alleged

legal services, but states that “I trusted Mr. Ronan as my lawyer and relied on his advice” and

“I understood that the information I provided Mr. Ronan was confidential based on our longstanding attorney/client relationship.” (Id. at 3.)

Mr. Montoya also alleges in his Declaration that Mr. Ronan represented him in the

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formation of Marky Polo Pool Service, LLC, a limited liability company owned by Mr.

Montoya and his brother Russell. (Id. at 2.) Mr. Montoya alleges that Mr. Ronan gave him

legal advice “regarding financial and other matters” in conjunction with the formation of his

company. (Id.) Mr. Montoya also states that Mr. Ronan acted as the statutory agent of the

company until mid-2010. (Id.) Again, there is no mention of whether or not Mr. Montoya

paid Mr. Ronan for these legal services.

Finally, Mr. Montoya alleges in his Declaration that another attorney at Davis Miles,

David Williams, provided financial information to a collection attorney for the McKindles

law firm that resulted in the reopening of that litigation. (Id. at 5.) Specifically, Mr. Montoya

alleges that Mr. Williams informed the collection attorney for the McKindles law firm that

he and his brother had inherited $500,000 apiece as a result of their mother’s death. (Id.)

Furthermore, Mr. Montoya alleges that Mr. Williams identified the location of his bank

accounts for the collection lawyer for the McKindles law firm, and also that Mr. Williams

appeared at an evidentiary hearing in that case. (Id.)

In the “Declaration of Timothy D. Ronan,” Exhibit 1 of the Response to the Motion

to Disqualify, Mr. Ronan claims that he “never served as Mark Montoya’s or Russell

Montoya’s attorney” and has “never provided them legal services or legal counsel related to

their personal needs.”(Doc. 217, Exh.1 at 2.) Although Mr. Ronan concedes that his client,

Mr. Mizioch, has at times requested that Mr. Ronan “provide limited advice to some of his

family members,” he contends that he “never considered Mr. Mizioch’s family members to

be [his] clients,” unless the family member specifically retained him as counsel. (Id.) Mr.

Ronan also states that none of Mr. Mizioch’s family members have paid for any legal

services “unless they have specifically retained [him] as counsel.” (Id. at 3.) Any limited

legal services that Mr. Ronan may have provided to Mr. Mizioch’s family members “have

always been at Mr. Mizioch’s request and direction.” (Id.)

Mr. Ronan states in his Declaration that he never spoke with Mr. Montoya about his

pending divorce or post-divorce custody issues, and that Mr. Montoya never shared any

personal information related to those issues. (Id. at 4.) Mr. Ronan states that he does not

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practice in the area of family law and therefore would not have represented Mr. Montoya in

such matters. (Id.) Mr. Ronan claims that he was aware that Merrick Firestone, a former law

partner, was contacted by Edward Maciag on Mr. Montoya’s behalf regarding his divorce

and post-divorce custody issues, and that Mr. Firestone referred Mr. Montoya to attorney

John McKindles. (Id.) Mr. Ronan states that the only time he was contacted directly by Mr.

Montoya was in 2009 for a referral to a bankruptcy attorney. (Id. at 3.) Mr. Ronan states that

he provided a referral to John Futkin, but that Mr. Montoya “never communicated any details

about his personal financial situation.” (Id.)

Mr. Ronan also states in his Declaration that he did not represent Mr. Montoya in

2009 with regards to the litigation action involving Mr. McKindles and alleged unpaid legal

fees. (Id. at 4.) Mr. Ronan states that he told Mr. McKindles and his attorney, Mr. Holcomb,

“verbally and by electronic mail multiple times that [he] did not represent Mr. Montoya,” and

that he finally “sent written correspondence . . . that [he] did not represent Mr Montoya.”

(Id.) A copy of the letter sent to Mr. Holcomb on February 9, 2010 is attached as Exhibit 2.

Mr. Ronan also states that a copy of the letter was sent to Mr. Montoya. (Id.)

Finally, Mr. Ronan acknowledges that he did prepare Articles of Organization for Mr.

Montoya’s pool company, Marky Polo Pool Service, LLC. (Id.) However, Mr. Ronan alleges

in his Declaration that he “never spoke with Mr. Montoya about the preparation of the

Articles of Organization and prepared the Articles of Organization only at Mr. Mizioch’s

request.” (Id. at 5.) Furthermore, Mr. Ronan alleges that Mr. Mizioch is the one who paid

him for his legal services. (Id.) Mr. Ronan states that he “only represented the LLC related

to the formation and the amendment of the Articles of Organization and never considered

Mark or Russell Montoya” to be his clients. (Id.) 

David Williams, another attorney with the Davis Miles law firm, provided a separate

Declaration to rebut some of the allegations made by Mr. Montoya. Mr. Williams states that

he never represented Mr. Montoya, was never privy to any attorney-client information from

Mr. Montoya, and never provided confidential information to Alan Holcomb, the collections

attorney for the McKindles law firm. (Id., Exh. 11 at 2.) Mr. Williams alleges that he learned

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about the McKindles litigation against Mr. Montoya through independent research on the

Maricopa County Recorder’s website. (Id.) Mr. Williams claims that he contacted Mr.

Holcomb to inquire about the McKindles litigation as it related to his firm’s legal theory that

Mr. Montoya had a financial motive to be involved in his mother’s death. (Id. at 3.) During

the course of that conversation with Mr. Holcomb, Mr. Williams states that he provided Mr.

Holcomb with a copy of Mr. Mizioch’s cross-claim against the Montoyas. (Id.) Mr.

Williams also states in his Declaration that he provided Mr. Holcomb with requested

information that he received through discovery pertaining to Mr. Montoya’s receipt of the

$500,000 life insurance policy. (Id.) Mr. Williams states that this information was not subject

to a protective order. (Id. at 4.)

Mr. Montoya and two attorneys for the Davis Miles law firm, Mr. Ronan and Mr.

Williams, have submitted dueling Declarations addressing the issue of whether or not Mr.

Montoya is a former client of Davis Miles. Mr. Montoya makes several claims in his

declaration that he relied on certain attorneys at Davis Miles to “receive[] advice and

assistance . . . in matters pertinent to the legal profession.” Foulke, 784 P.2d at 726.

Specifically, Mr. Montoya alleges that he contacted Mr. Ronan on multiple occasions to

discuss personal and financial matters pertaining to his divorce, a child custody dispute, and

his filing for bankruptcy. Mr. Ronan disputes that he was ever contacted by Mr. Montoya to

receive any kind of legal advice on those matters. In fact, Mr. Ronan has supplied one piece

of evidence, a letter to Mr. Holcomb addressed on February 9, 2010, suggesting that not only

did Mr. Ronan not represent Mr. Montoya, but he also took active steps to disavow him of

that notion. (Doc 217, Exh. 2.) Mr. Ronan concedes only that he provided Mr. Montoya with

a reference to a bankruptcy attorney and prepared the Articles of Organization for Marky

Polo Pool Service, LLC at the request of Mr. Mizioch. Nonetheless, Mr. Ronan states that

he never received confidential information from or provided representation to Mr. Montoya

in either of those instances. Furthermore, there is no indication that Mr. Montoya ever paid

any attorney at Davis Miles for any advice or legal representation.

Given the conflicting Declarations, the Court cannot determine whether or not Mr.

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Montoya is in fact a former client of Davis Miles. But the Court need not resolve that issue

because even if Mr. Montoya was a client, the current litigation is not the same or

substantially related to any previous alleged representation of Mr. Montoya by Davis Miles.

b. Substantially Related

The Davis Miles law firm may be disqualified if, in representing Mr. Mizioch in the

current litigation, Davis Miles is “representing someone in the same or a substantially related

matter whose interests are materially adverse” to Mr. Montoya’s interests. Foulke, 784 P.2d

at 726-27. There must be some “factual nexus” between the prior representation and the

current matter, meaning that “the matters themselves must be substantially interrelated.”

Amparano v. ASARCO, Inc., 93 P.3d 1086, 1093 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004) (quoting Ariz. State

Bar Comm. On Rules of Prof’l Conduct Ethics Op. 94-06 (1994)). The party moving to

disqualify opposing counsel has the burden to show “sufficient reason” why the attorney

should be disqualified. Id. at1093, 377 (quoting Alexander v. Superior Court, 685 P.2d 1309,

1313 (Ariz. 1984)).

In Foulke, Mr. Foulke met with an attorney, Ann Haralambie, to discuss his pending

divorce from his wife, Mary E. Ellingsen. Foulke, 784 P.2d at 725. The parties disputed

precisely what information was exchanged between Mr. Foulke and Ms. Haralambie during

the one meeting, although it was conceded that Mr. Foulke paid Ms. Haralambie for her

services. Id. Approximately seven months later, Ms. Ellingsen retained Ms. Haralambie to

represent her in her divorce proceedings against Mr. Foulke. Id. Less than two weeks after

receiving notice of Ms. Haralambie representation, counsel for Mr. Foulke requested that she

withdraw due to a conflict of interest. Id. When Ms. Haralambie refused, counsel for Mr.

Foulke immediately filed a motion to disqualify. Id. The Court granted the motion to

disqualify, holding that Ms. Haralambie’s representation of Ellingsen violated Rule 1.9(a)

of the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct. Id. at 730. The court reasoned that

disqualification was not only appropriate but necessary in this case “[b]ecause of the

mandatory nature of ER 1.9(a), the presumption that confidences have been divulged, the

nature of Foulke’s consultation, and Foulke’s vigorous opposition to Ms. Haralambie’s

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representation of Ellingson.” Id. at 729.

In contrast, in Amparano, an attorney, Howard Shanker, had worked at the law firm

of Fennemore Craig, P.C. for two years. Amparano, 93 P.3d at 1092. During his time there,

Shanker worked in the firm’s environmental and natural resources practice group and was

alleged to have worked on numerous projects relating to permitting, lobbying, and

enforcement issues for one of the firm’s clients, ASARCO. Id. at 1093. Three years after he

left Fennemore Craig, Shanker became involved in a case against ASARCO. Id. ASARCO

subsequently filed a motion to disqualify Shanker, arguing that a conflict of interest existed

because of Shanker’s prior representation of ASARCO. Id. The court denied the motion to

disqualify. Id. at 1094. The court reasoned that the dearth of evidence presented by ASARCO

failed to support the claim that Shanker was “‘environmental counsel for ASARCO’ or that

he would have been aware of litigation strategy ASARCO’s counsel might use.” Id. at 1093.

The current litigation in this Court between the Montoyas and Mr. Mizioch involves

a dispute over life insurance proceeds from Protective Life Insurance Company and AXA

Equitable Life Insurance Company and other cross-claims related to her death. Mr. Mizioch

and the Montoyas have competing claims to the life insurance policies.

Mr. Montoya alleges that the Davis Miles law firm learned personal, confidential

information from him as a former client, and that the law firm is now using that information

against him. Although Mr. Montoya claims that the Davis Miles law firm is using several

pieces of confidential information against him, the thrust of his argument is that Davis Miles

learned of Mr. Montoya’s financial difficulties through their representation of him and are

now using that information to fuel their legal theory that Mr. Montoya killed his mother

because of his financial situation. It is possible that the Davis Miles law firm learned this

information when Mr. Montoya spoke with Mr. Ronan about his pending divorce and

bankruptcy, as he alleges. It is equally possible that the Davis Miles law firm learned this

information through their representation of Mr. Mizioch and independent investigation. 

Even if an attorney-client relationship existed between Mr. Montoya and the Davis

Miles law firm, the matters in which Mr. Montoya alleges he relied on the representation of

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Mr. Ronan or Mr. Williams are not substantially related to the present matter. Comment [3]

to the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct states that “[m]atters are ‘substantially related’

. . . if they involve the same transaction or legal dispute or if there otherwise is a substantial

risk that confidential factual information as would normally have been obtained in the prior

representation would materially advance the client’s position in the subsequent matter.” This

current insurance policy benefits dispute is not the “same transaction or legal dispute” as the

alleged prior representations that involved Mr. Montoya’s divorce, child custody,

bankruptcy, and business incorporation. Thus, disqualification may only be appropriate if

there “is a substantial risk that confidential factual information” will be used against Mr.

Montoya. Like the moving party in Amparano who failed to carry its burden of proving the

substantial relationship between past alleged representation and present litigation, counsel

for Mr. Montoya fails to provide adequate proof that Davis Miles is using any confidential

information obtained from past alleged representation against Mr. Montoya. In his

Declaration, Mr. Montoya makes only a general reference to the “very personal and financial

issues” he allegedly shared with Mr. Ronan. Furthermore, comment [8] to the Arizona Rules

of Professional Conduct states that “the fact that a lawyer has once served a client does not

preclude the lawyer from using generally known information about that client when later

representing another client.” It appears in this case that the information used by Davis Miles

to form their legal theory against Mr. Montoya was obtained through independent

investigation of public sources or through their client.

Finally, disqualification would be an excessive result in this case. Generally,

“whenever possible the courts should endeavor to reach a solution that is least burdensome

upon the client or clients.” Alexander v. Superior Court, 685 P.2d 1309, 1313 (Ariz. 1984);

see also Hrudka v. Hrudka, 919 P.2d 179, 184 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1995) (“In resolving conflicts

of interest, courts should attempt to reach the solution that is the least burdensome upon the

client. Disqualification may be avoided if the hardship to the new client far outweighs the

injustice to the former client who requests disqualification.”). The complaint in this case was

filed in August 2010, and Mr. Montaya’s attorney was aware of the alleged conflict no later

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than January 5, 2011, when he filed a Reply in Superior Court to disqualify Mr. Mizioch as

personal representative (Doc. 217, Exh. 13). In Foulke, the Motion to Disqualify Opposing

Counsel was made within a month of notice of the conflict of interest, whereas here at least

7 months has passed between Mr. Montoya’s initial awareness of the alleged conflict and his

Motion to Disqualify.

For these reasons, the Motion to Disqualify will be denied.

III. Motion for an Order Restricting Extrajudicial Comments

The Court is empowered to issue a restraining order prohibiting trial participants from

communicating with the media where “excessive trial publicity” endangers the fairness of

the judicial process. Levine v. United States District Court for the Central District of

California, 764 F.2d 590, 600-01 (9th Cir. 1985); see also Local Rule of Civil Procedure

83.8(b) (stating that “[i]n a widely publicized or sensational case” the Court “may issue a

special order [prohibiting extrajudicial statements] similar to that provided for by Rule

57.2(f), Local Rules of Criminal Procedure”). However, such an order “is properly

characterized as a prior restraint,” and is therefore “subject to strict scrutiny because of the

peculiar dangers presented by such restraints.” Levine, 764 F.2d at 595; see also Nebraska

Press Ass’n v. Stuart, 427 U.S. 539, 559 (1976) (stating that prior restraints “are the most

serious and least tolerable infringement on First Amendment rights”). An order prohibiting

communication with the media may be upheld only if: “(1) the activity restrained poses either

a clear and present danger or a serious and imminent threat to a protected competing interest;

(2) the order is narrowly drawn; and (3) less restrictive alternatives are not available.” Levine,

764 F.2d at 595 (internal citations omitted).

Levine involved a criminal proceeding against a former special agent with the Federal

Bureau of Investigation charged with espionage. Id. at 591. Counsel for both the government

and defense engaged in “on the record” interviews with the media early in the proceedings.

Id. at 592. The government sought a court order prohibiting the parties from making any

extrajudicial statements to the media, which the court denied. Id. Nonetheless, the court

“admonished counsel to maintain an atmosphere in which a fair trial could be conducted.”

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Id.

Less than three months later, on the eve of trial, the Los Angeles Times published an

article that “set forth the defense theory in great detail” and quoted the defense attorney

“attack[ing] the basis of the prosecution’s case.” Id. The government renewed its motion, and

the district court issued an order that “all attorneys in this case . . . shall not make any

statements to members of the news media concerning any aspect of this case that bears upon

the merits to be resolved by the jury.”Id. at 593. The Ninth Circuit agreed that the district

court’s order was appropriate given the circumstances, but it nonetheless issued a writ of

mandamus ordering the district court to more narrowly and specifically “define the scope of

the restraining order.” Id. at 601. The Appellate Court first determined that pretrial publicity

had already been widespread and that further publicity instigated by extrajudicial statements

by counsel would pose a “serious and imminent threat to the administration of justice” and

add to the “circus-like environment” surrounding the trial. Id. at 598. But the Appellate Court

determined that the district court’s order was overly broad because it prohibited statements

that would “present no danger to the administration of justice.” Id. at 599. The Court

therefore directed the district court to define the scope of the restraining order specifying the

types of proscribed statements. Id.

The facts and allegations of pretrial publicity in this case are distinguishable from

Levine and do not warrant an order prohibiting extrajudicial statements to the media. Unlike

the “widespread publicity” and “circus-like environment” mentioned in Levine, the interest

and publicity in this case does not appear to rise to that same level. Counsel for Mr. Mizioch

can point to only two instances of media publicity or interest pertaining to this case. The first

instance of pretrial publicity is an article published in The Arizona Republic on February 26,

2011. Dennis Wagner and Michael Ferraresi, Insurance claims from slayings linked to

Phoenix contractor, THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC (Feb. 26, 2011). However, this article appeared

in the newspaper over six months ago, unlike the Los Angeles Times article in Levine that

appeared on the eve of trial. Furthermore, the article is based almost entirely on public

records obtained by the reporters, and the few quotes attributed directly to counsel for both

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3

Attorneys for both parties are quoted to the extent that their respective clients were

not involved in the murder of Phyllis Mizioch. The only arguably prejudicial direct quotes

made in the article are attributed to Edward Maciag, a friend and associate of Mr. Mizioch.

In fact, in his reply brief, Mr. Mizoch’s counsel acknowledges that Mr. Maciag consented

to the interview and that Mr. Mizoch’s counsel accompanied him during the interview (Doc.

194 at 4).

4

In his response, counsel for the Montoyas states he only provided pleadings already

filed in the case (Doc. 193 at 4).

5

On September 30, 2011, a new article appeared in The Arizona Republic titled “$4.5

mil life insurance battle takes a new twist.” The article provides a summary of recent court

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parties do not divulge any kind of prejudicial information.3

Counsel for Mr. Mizioch also argues that there is demonstrated media interest in this

litigation as evidenced by the fact that attorneys for both parties were contacted twice by an

employee with CBS News-48 Hours. In his motion, counsel states that he does not know

what information opposing counsel may have provided to CBS News-48 Hours.4

 Counsel

further states that the last known contact made by CBS News-48 Hours was on May 11,

2011. It is merely speculative at this point whether the initial investigation initiated by CBS

News-48 Hours three months ago will yield any actual media coverage. Two phone calls

from CBS News-48 Hours do not constitute an “aggressive investigation,” as counsel for Mr.

Mizioch characterizes it. Furthermore, if such a news story should materialize, that would

not necessarily prejudice the judicial process. A fair trial does not require that jurors be

“totally ignorant of the facts and issues involved” in a case. Irvin v. Dowd, 366 U.S. 717, 722

(1961). It should be expected that an important case may arouse public interest concomitant

with the nature of the alleged crime, but this will not necessarily and inevitably lead to the

kind of widespread media circus mentioned in Levine. Crater v. Galaza, 491 F.3d 1119, 1134

(9th Cir. 2007). 

Finally, counsel for Mr. Mizoch alleges that the Montoyas have proactively solicited

media coverage in this case. However, the mere fact that one news article was written over

six months ago5

 and an employee from CBS News-48 Hours attempted to contact both

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proceedings in this case of interest, but there is nothing in the article that suggests improper

extrajudicial communication with the media from either party.

6

In his reply, counsel for Mr. Mizioch states that he does not have copies of the

original text messages and that Mr. Mizioch does not want to disclose the names of the

family members in order to protect their privacy (Doc. 194 at 4 n.2).

7

This is identical to Rule 3.6(a) of the ABA Model Rules of Professional

Responsibility.

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parties does not provide conclusive evidence that the Montoyas have sought to drum up

media attention or engaged in improper extrajudicial statements. Counsel for Mr. Mizioch

further states that members of Phyllis Mizioch’s family had been contacted via text message

by Mark Montoya about his alleged attempts to contact CBS News-48 Hours about a possible

news story. However, this allegation is based only on a declaration made by Mr. Mizioch’s

attorney, David Williams. This statement is not supported by evidence of the alleged text

messages or declarations from any particular family member.6

 Without stronger evidence of

a “clear and present danger” or a “serious and imminent threat” to the integrity of the judicial

process, this Court cannot issue an order that would prohibit both sides from engaging in

improper extrajudicial statements to the media. 

This Court would remind counsel for both parties that they have a duty to refrain from

attempting to gain leverage in this case by speaking to and through the media. As counsel for

Mr. Mizioch correctly points out, Local Rule of Civil Procedure 83.8 prohibits a lawyer in

a civil action from “making an extrajudicial statement, other than a quotation from or

reference to public records . . . if there is a reasonable likelihood that such dissemination will

interfere with a fair trial . . . .” Similarly, Rule 3.6(a) of the Arizona Rules of Professional

Conduct prohibits attorneys from making any “extrajudicial statement that the lawyer knows

or reasonably should know will be disseminated by means of public communication and will

have a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing an adjudicative proceeding in the

matter.”7 Although neither Local Rule of Civil Procedure 83.8 nor Rule 3.6 of the Arizona

Rules of Professional Conduct create an absolute prohibition on all statements to the media,

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counsel for both parties are cautioned to use professional discretion and limit any statements

to what is explicitly authorized by the applicable Rules. In the event that future extrajudicial

statements to the media threaten the integrity of these proceedings, the Court will address the

issue at that time.

For these reasons, the Motion to Restrict Extrajudicial Communication will be denied.

Accordingly,

IT IS ORDERED that the Motion for an Order Restricting Extrajudicial Comments

(Doc. 188) will be denied.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Motion to Disqualify (Doc. 204) will be

denied.

IT IS FINALLY ORDERED that the Motion for an Order Shortening Time to

Respond (Doc. 188) is moot and is therefore denied.

DATED this 14th day of October, 2011.

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