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Mike Moceri JD (WSBA No. 47787, admitted 2014) of Tacoma, WA, was suspended for 18 months, effective 9/26/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Claire Carden acted as disciplinary counsel. Mike Moceri JD represented themselves. Joseph M. Mano, Jr. was the hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees), 8.1 (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice), 8.4(l), (Prohibiting a Lawyer from Violating a Duty or Sanction Imposed by or under the Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct in Connection with a Disciplinary Matter).
Moceri was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by: 1) failing to diligently represent a client; 2) failing to keep the client informed about the case and/or by failing to provide them with an invoice or other information about how Respondent’s fee was earned; 3) failing to deposit a payment received from the client to Respondent’s trust account; 4) charging for work that was of no use to the client and/or failing to refund unearned fees; 5) attempting to induce the client to withdraw the grievance; 6) failing to promptly respond to the client’s grievance; 7) failing to diligently represent a second client; 8) charging for work that Respondent never performed and/or by failing to refund unearned fees; 9) failing to diligently represent a third client; 10) charging for work that Respondent never performed; 11) failing to have any contact with the client after being hired; 12) failing to promptly respond to the client’s grievance.
Decision documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Declining Sua Sponte Review Consideration; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
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