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Peter J. Knudsen, (WSBA No. 33977, admitted 2003), of Seattle, was ordered to receive a reprimand following approval of a stipulation by the Chief Hearing Officer on June 25, 2012. This discipline was based on conduct which involved a disregard for the rule of law.
On December 4, 2006, Mother filed a petition for a protective order to restrain Mr. Knudsen from having contact with her and X, her minor child with Mr. Knudsen. After a contested hearing on December 18, 2006, the court entered an order of protection prohibiting Mr. Knudsen from having contact with Mother and X, including restraining him “from having any contact whatsoever, in person or through others, by phone, mail or any means, directly or indirectly, except for mailing or service of process of court documents by a third party or contact by defendant’s lawyers with [Mother] and [X].” The order further provided that Mr. Knudsen “shall have no contact or visitation but is allowed to contact [Mother] by email but only regarding issues related to their child.” From December 25, 2006, through January 9, 2007, Mr. Knudsen sent a number of text messages to Mother that violated the protection order. On February 13, 2007, City of Seattle filed two criminal complaints against Mr. Knudsen charging him with knowingly violating a protection order for sending the text messages to Mother. On April 23, 2007, Mr. Knudsen pleaded guilty to four counts of violating the protection order by sending text messages to Mother on December 25, 2006, December 26, 2006, January 2, 2007, and January 9, 2007. On June 21, 2007, the court sentenced Mr. Knudsen to a 24-month deferred sentence. Mr. Knudsen complied with all terms of the deferred sentence and on June 18, 2009, the court vacated the conviction.
Mr. Knudsen’s conduct violated RPC 8.4(i), prohibiting a lawyer from committing any act involving moral turpitude, or corruption, or any unjustified act of assault or other act which reflects disregard for the rule of law.
Jonathan H. Burke represented the Bar Association. Anne I. Seidel represented Mr. Knudsen. Joseph Nappi, Jr. is the Chief Hearing Officer.
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