John Phelps is retiring. Again.

The cost of legal services can be daunting, and even in our most urban settings, approximately 20 percent of our residents live at or below the federal poverty level. That percentage is often higher in rural areas. This population, however, is particularly vulnerable when faced with legal issues involving basic necessities of life.

A Pima County Superior Court judge who received a failing grade from the commission that rates judges has decided to quit before voters could say whether he should stay on the bench.

Rick DeBruhl has a busy May. To begin the month he was leading the message in successfully beating back legislation designed to gut the State Bar of Arizona. He’ll be ending it in pit row at the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.

The committee’s formation comes after another legislative session in which lawmakers tried to dismantle the State Bar of Arizona, which regulates lawyers.

A state Supreme Court task force is going to look at whether there should be changes in the way the State Bar of Arizona is governed.

The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission and several lawyers are laying the groundwork for a database to keep track of people who are under court-ordered mental-health treatment, a tool for police and judges.

The State Bar of Arizona has closed a disciplinary case against Attorney General Tom Horne for a hit-and-run incident without taking disciplinary action.

Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced in an email today that he will file paperwork to launch a 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

Identical, obscure proposals in each legislative chamber would make a major change to the state’s legal system. And even though they appear to be dead, the question of whether it’s right to force lawyers to join the State Bar of Arizona will likely rise again.