Discipline Notice - Leah R. Altaras

License Number: 39266
Member Name: Leah R. Altaras
Discipline Detail
Action: Suspension
Effective Date: 8/22/2024
RPC: 1.15A - Safeguarding Property
1.15B - Required Trust Account Records
1.3 - Diligence
1.4 - Communication
Discipline Notice: Supreme Court Order
Order Approving Stipulation
Stipulation
Description: Leah Rachel Altaras (WSBA No. 39266, admitted 2007) of Seattle, WA, was suspended for 45 days, effective 8/22/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Kevin M. Bank represented Respondent. Kenneth B. Gorton was the hearing officer. Jehiel Baer was the settlement hearing officer.

The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.15B (Required Trust Account Records).

Altaras stipulated to suspension for: 1) withdrawing earned fees prior to giving reasonable notice to a client of Respondent's intent to do so through a billing statement or other document; 2) making cash withdrawals from a trust account; 3) disbursing more funds than clients had on deposit in the trust account by using one client's funds on behalf of another; 4) failing to maintain a complete and current check register and complete and current client ledgers for a trust account; 5) failing to perform bank statement and client ledger reconciliations for a trust account; 6) failing to hold client funds in a trust account and failing to promptly deposit and hold a client's funds in a trust account; 7) failing to investigate and respond to attorney fees request while representing a client, and failing to appear at the attorney fees hearing; 7) failing to ensure a client received a copy of the attorney fees request, failing to discuss the attorney fees request or judgment with the client, and failing to inform the client about the
judgment.

Decision documents: Disciplinary Board Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.


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