| Description: |
Thi Anh Huynh (WSBA No. 34947, admitted 2004) of Seattle, WA, was disbarred, effective 9/12/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Henry Cruz and Benjamin J. Attanasio acted as disciplinary counsel. Thi Anh Huynh represented themselves. Bruce E. Heller was the hearing officer. Randolph O. Petgrave, III was the settlement hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.7 (Conflict of Interest: Current Clients), 1.8 (Conflict of Interest: Current Clients: Specific Rules), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 8.4(b) (Criminal Act), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), 8.4(i) (Moral Turpitude, Corruption or Disregard of Rule of Law). 8.4(n) (Unfitness to practice).
Huynh was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by: 1) entering into a business transaction with a client – by obtaining a loan for the client and using the proceeds for Respondent’s own purposes – without i) providing the client with anything in writing regarding the transaction, ii) advising the client in writing to seek, and providing them a reasonable opportunity to seek, independent counsel, or iii) obtaining the client’s informed consent to the transaction; 2) using the loan proceeds for Respondent’s own use and thereby committing the crime of theft as defined in RCW 9A.56.020; 3) executing a Full Reconveyance Deed falsely stating that the investors had made a written request to reconvey and thereby committing the crime of false representation concerning title as defined in RCW 9.38.020; 4) using investor funds for Respondent’s personal use and other purposes unrelated to the investment and thereby committing the crime of theft as defined in RCW 9A.56.020; 5) providing investors with false accounting of their investment; 6) representing a client in a loan transaction in which another client was directly adverse; 7) representing a client in a litigation matter where there was a significant risk that the representation would be materially limited by Respondent’s responsibilities to another client or by Respondent’s personal interest; 8) entering into a business transaction with a client without: i) providing the client with anything in writing regarding the transaction, ii) advising the client in writing to seek, and providing them a reasonable opportunity to seek, independent counsel, or iii) obtaining the client’s informed consent to the transaction; 9) using money from a loan obtained for a client for Respondent’s personal use and other purposes unrelated to the client and thereby committing the crime of theft as defined in RCW 9A.56.020.
Decision documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Adopting Hearing Officer’s Decision; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
|