Scott Michael Forrester Disbarred Arizona Bankruptcy Attorney – Effective 5/5/2021

SCOTT MICHAEL FORRESTER, DISBARRED BY THE STATE BAR OF ARIZONA.  EFFECTIVE MAY 5, 2021.
A cherub face hid a very mean personality.
On May 5, 2021, the State Bar of Arizona entered an immediate order of disbarment against Scott Michael Forrester.  This leaves more than 100 bankruptcy clients abandoned and out the money they paid Forrester. 
Hundreds of clients have, or should have, claims against him for bad advice, bad attitude, failure to perform his professional duties and so much more. 

There are multiple State Bar complaints, numerous pending law suits in Bankruptcy Court, plus so many clients who have been mentally abused by Scott Forrester’s. either intentional or unintentional, attitude during his short years in his bankruptcy practice.

Just one example of Scott Forrester’s bad conduct – Bankruptcy Court Hearing on December 1, 2020, Judge Wanslee sanctions Scott M. Forrester for his refusal to comply with court orders:
Judge finds that Scott M. Forrester “willfully violated orders of this court….”  “lack of attention and diligence as to the files he is handling…” “evidence that papers are being filed without review by the clients….which is a clear violation of the Code and Rules” “Mr. Forrester is ordered to disgorge fees…until proof of compliance”  “Court finds that Mr. Forrester has failed to follow the requirements of the Code and the Rules…”  “Mr. Forrester’s practice does not seem to be compliant … it is difficult to see any change or improvement”.  “Clients are not to pay Forrester directly, but must pay to the Registry of the Court.”
.fusion-button.button-1 .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1 i {color:#00260a;}.fusion-button.button-1 .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#00260a;}.fusion-button.button-1:hover .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1:hover i,.fusion-button.button-1:focus .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1:focus i,.fusion-button.button-1:active .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1:active{color:#004713;}.fusion-button.button-1:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-1:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-1:active .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#004713;}.fusion-button.button-1:hover, .fusion-button.button-1:focus, .fusion-button.button-1:active{border-color:#004713;border-width:2px;}.fusion-button.button-1 {border-color:#00260a;border-width:2px;border-radius:0px;}.fusion-button.button-1{background: rgba(255,255,255,0);}.fusion-button.button-1:hover,.button-1:focus,.fusion-button.button-1:active{background: rgba(255,255,255,0);}.fusion-button.button-1 .fusion-button-text {text-transform:uppercase;}READ MOREBankruptcy is not a quick fix.  You must understand the law and work with an attorney who knows their job and treats you with respect.Alert! Never hire a professional (plumber, doctor, lawyer or other) without doing your own investigation.  Talk to their prior clients or patients.  Look at their reviews, but understand that many reviews are fake.  Get advice from at least two professionals before making a decision who to hire.  Fire them immediately if there is any concern.MUSINGS BY DIANE Learn to trust yourself.  If your gut tells you “there is something wrong”, then don’t do it.  If your mind tells you “this is too good”, then don’t do it.  If your heart tells you “I don’t deserve this”, then talk to a close friend to see if you are underestimating yourself, or overestimating the other person. 
Never allow someone to be abusive, whether mental or physical.  If any human abuses another living thing, then that human is sick, not the living thing he/she abused.  Scott Forrester repeatedly yelled at his clients, calling them hurtful names and blaming them for things that were not their fault.  It took me two years of repeatedly bringing attention of his bad acts to the court, clients and the State Bar before he was finally disbarred.  The good news – they did something.  The bad news – think of all the damage done before I ever heard of Forrester, and all the damage done, and still being done, because the system is so slow to respond.  I recognize there is a reason for a bureaucracy to respond slowly, so as not to over-react to a one-time event.  But, what I observed in dealing with Forrester is that he became embolden by the court’s failure to respond quickly. As with any bully, the more you let him get away with his abuse, the more he comes to believe his actions are acceptable.

The first time I heard from his client about the problems, I reached out to Forrester to see if I could help him (I am part of a great consumer debtor mentoring group).  Several other good attorneys did the same.  The results?  Without exception, each of us were rebuked.  Forrester was positive we were trying to “poach” his clients, rather than trying to help him be a better attorney.  When someone has that attitude, then there is nothing you can do, except to make sure the officials know about this bad apple.  And do what you can to get rid of the bad actor.
Never tolerate bullies.  Stand up to them, make noise, report them to the authorities and don’t let up.  You owe it to your fellow humans.  Here is a great video on the topic of dealing with uncomfortable situations.  The speaker, Cindy Villanueva, is great and has some detailed tips “Get Comfortable with Punches“, plus Get Comfortable with Punches Cindy Villanueva 5-21.
– Diane L. Drain
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