Discipline Notice - Patrick K. Stiley

License Number: 679
Member Name: Patrick K. Stiley
Discipline Detail
Action: Censure
Effective Date: 5/21/1999
RPC: 1.3 - Diligence
Discipline Notice:
Description: Patrick Stiley (WSBA No. 0679, admitted 1971), of Spokane, has been censured pursuant to a stipulation approved by the Disciplinary Board on May 21, 1999.
Mr. Stiley represented a husband and wife. Both suffered separate workplace injuries and received benefits from the Department of Labor and Industries. Several years later, the clients pled guilty to felony charges. The Department of Labor and Industries issued an order suspending the clients’ benefits during the time they served their sentences. Mr. Stiley appealed this order to the Industrial Insurance Appeals Board (Board). The Industrial Appeals Judge issued a scheduling order with deadlines for submitting factual stipulations and briefing. Mr. Stiley failed to file the required pleadings prior to the ordered deadlines. The Judge granted Mr. Stiley additional time to file his pleadings. Mr. Stiley submitted a factual stipulation two days after the continued date and did not submit a brief. The Department of Labor and Industries filed a motion to dismiss the clients’ appeal. Mr. Stiley did not file a response to the motion to dismiss. During this time period, Mr. Stiley was representing other clients in out-of-county and out-of-state proceedings. Mr. Stiley sent two legal interns to the dismissal hearing to inform the Judge that he could not attend, because he was representing another client in a federal court criminal proceeding. The Judge entered a proposed order dismissing the clients’ appeal, citing the "unexcused failure of Mr. Stiley to present evidence at the time set for hearing and for otherwise failing to comply with the pre-hearing order." The Board denied Mr. Stiley’s petition for review of this order. The Superior Court affirmed the Board’s decision. By failing to timely file a brief supporting his clients’ claims, Mr. Stiley’s conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, requiring a lawyer to exercise reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client.
Jonathan Burke represented the Bar Association. Mr. Stiley represented himself.


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