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Sherrie Bennett (WSBA No. 12159, admitted 1981), of Seattle, was suspended for 60 days following a stipulation approved by order of the Supreme Court dated June 13, 2000. The discipline is based upon her practicing law while her license to practice was suspended in 1995. The suspension became effective June 19, 2000. Ms. Bennett has since been reinstated.
On June 2, 1995, the Supreme Court ordered Ms. Bennett’s license to practice suspended for failure to pay WSBA dues. Ms. Bennett indicated that she did not receive the notice mailed to her by the court. On July 6, 1995, Ms. Bennett received a letter from disciplinary counsel advising her of her duties on the suspension of her license.
Ms. Bennett represented a dissolution client, including signing pleadings, between June 2 and July 6, 1995. After July 6, Ms. Bennett communicated with her client and the opposing counsel’s office regarding the pending dissolution. On July 21, 1995, Ms. Bennett delivered her dues payment to the WSBA office. She wrongly believed that delivering the payment would result in automatic reinstatement. She appeared in court representing her dissolution client on this same day.
During the time she was suspended, Ms. Bennett was employed as a program director and staff attorney for Student Legal Services at the University of Washington. One of her duties was to assist Rule 9 interns in providing legal assistance to clients. During Ms. Bennett’s suspension, at least two interns worked in the office and served clients.
Ms. Bennett did not notify her dissolution client or the University of Washington of her suspension. Ms. Bennett’s license to practice law was reinstated on August 4, 2000. The stipulated sanction in this case included several mitigating factors.
By continuing to practice law after receiving notice that her license to practice had been suspended, Ms. Bennett’s conduct violated RPC 5.5.
Joy McLean represented the Bar Association. Kurt Bulmer represented Ms. Bennett.
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