| Description: |
Michael Graham (WSBA No. 37391, admitted 2006) of Seattle, WA, was disbarred, effective 5/30/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Erica Temple acted as disciplinary counsel. Leland G. Ripley represented the Respondent. Deborah Wechselblatt was the hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.4 (Communication), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 8.1 (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters), 8.4(b) (Criminal Act), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), and 8.4(l) (Misconduct).
Graham was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by 1) converting settlement funds for Respondent's own use without entitlement to the funds; 2) failing to promptly notify the relevant parties about receipt of the settlement funds; 3) failing to provide a written accounting after distributing the settlement funds from trust; 4) failing to promptly pay or deliver settlement funds to a party that they were entitled to receive; 5) making false statements about the status of the settlement funds and disbursal; 6) failing to respond to requests for a response to a grievance, failing to appear for deposition, and/or failing to produce documents in response to a subpoena; 7) converting funds for Respondent's own use without entitlement to the funds; 8) failing to deposit warrants to a client into a trust account; 9) failing to promptly pay or deliver funds to a client; 10) failing to respond to ODC's requests for a response to a grievance.
Decision documents: Disciplinary Board Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Disbarment; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
|