ORDER

22A-202004177-NUR · State Board of Nursing · 2026-06-18

IN THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

IN THE MATTER OF REGISTERED NURSE LICENSE NO. RN211932 AND ADVANCED PRACTICE CERTIFICATE NO. AP10894 ISSUED TO:

DEBORAH A. COONEY

AKA: DEBORAH COONEY,

DEBORAH ORLANDO COONEY,

DEBORAH A. ORLANDO COONEY,

DEBORAH A. WIETRZYKOWSKI,

RESPONDENT.

No. 22A-[number redacted]-NUR

ORDER

This matter was referred to the Office of Administrative Hearings (“OAH”) in June 2024. At that time, the Arizona State Board of Nursing (“Board”) identified Thomas A. Zimmerman, Jr., as Respondent’s counsel. Since that time, Mr. Zimmerman has been copied on all communications from OAH as Respondent’s counsel.

Respondent has submitted multiple motions purporting to be appearing pro se. Nothing in OAH’s records indicated that Mr. Zimmerman had withdrawn as Respondent’s counsel.

On June 9, 2026, the assigned Administrative Law Judge issued an Order that required Mr. Zimmerman to provide notice on his status as Respondent’s counsel and to provide an endorsement or withdrawal of Respondent's multiple motions filed pro se.

By June 18, 2026, neither the Tribunal nor counsel representing the Board received any information from Mr. Zimmerman, as directed. Rather, Respondent submitted a “Notice Regarding Representation Status” in which Respondent stated that she “is currently represented by Thomas A. Zimmerman, Jr. of Zimmerman Law Offices, P.C. in this matter” and that “Mr. Zimmerman has not withdrawn as counsel.” Respondent further stated that all the motions she had filed were filed personally by her because Mr. Zimmerman had “declined to file them.”

In June 2024, Mr. Zimmerman was the counsel of record on behalf of Respondent, and as of the current date, this Tribunal has not received a Notice of Withdrawal of Counsel or the like.

The Arizona Rules of Civil Procedures, Rule 11, provides that “[e]very pleading, written motion, and other document filed with the court or served must be signed by at least one attorney of record in the attorney's name--or by a party personally if the party is unrepresented.” Nothing in the rule allows a represented party to file motions on their own behalf.

Based on a review of the information,

IT IS ORDERED that none of the motions filed by Respondent pro se will be considered or addressed at this time.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Mr. Zimmerman provide the Administrative Law Judge with evidence that he is licensed in the State of Arizona, an application to appear pro hac vice in this matter, or a withdrawal as counsel of record in this matter no later than June 30, 2026. Failure to respond to this order will result in Mr. Zimmerman being removed from the case and Respondent proceeding pro se.

Done this day, June 18, 2026.

/s/ Nicole Robinson

Administrative Law Judge

Transmitted by either mail, e-mail, or facsimile:

Joey Ridenour, RN, MN

Executive Director

State Board of Nursing

[email redacted]

Thomas A. Zimmerman, Jr.

ZIMMERMAN LAW OFFICES, P.C.

77 W. Washington Street, Suite 1220

Chicago, Illinois 60602

[email redacted]

Charles S. Hover, III

Office of the Attorney General

Assistant Attorney General

2005 N Central Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85004-1592

[email redacted]

By: OAH Staff