In what appears to be an increasingly contentious clash, two Phoenix-based attorneys, Gil Negrete and Brandon Rafi, have taken their disputes from verbal confrontations to the courtroom. The roots of this conflict trace back to a client disagreement in 2022, where a client moved from Rafi’s firm to Negrete’s, prompting an irrevocable rupture in their professional relationship. As detailed by the Phoenix New Times, the escalating discord has now resulted in serious allegations, including bomb threats and defamation claims.
According to Negrete, the dispute began over a mere $5,000 in business, causing Rafi’s firm to cease referring cases to Negrete. The situation deteriorated further when bomb threat photos at the Rafi Law Group office were shared on the Instagram account @LawyerFiles, an attorney gossip account. This led Rafi to file a defamation lawsuit, accusing Negrete of orchestrating a hoax bomb threat and a home invasion. Rafi Law Group has stated the lawsuit aims to stop what they describe as Negrete’s “baseless claims” and consistent defamation.
Negrete, on his podcast, denies the allegations, pointing out a police report that attributes the bomb threat to a sixth grader’s prank, a detail that is excluded in the legal complaint. Moreover, Negrete disputes any current connection to the Instagram account mentioned but left open the possibility of future involvement, further complicating the narrative.
The disputing parties have aired their grievances quite publicly, with Negrete accusing Rafi of filing frivolous police reports and violating Rule 11 of the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, which mandates factual support for legal claims.
Further adding to the drama is a now-defunct website, WhoIsGilNegrete.com, which had previously chronicled Negrete’s disciplinary issues with the state bar, including a 15-month suspension. As the legal feud continues, observers note the increasingly personal and public nature of the dispute. For a detailed account, see the original coverage on Above the Law.