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Timothy R. South (WSBA No. 26267, admitted 1996) of Longview, was suspended for one year, effective 2/03/2025, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Briana Michelle Gieri acted as disciplinary counsel. Timothy R. South represented himself.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 3.2 (Expediting litigation), 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal), 8.4 Misconduct, and 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation).
The hearing officer recommended, and the court ordered, that South be suspended from the practice of law in Washington State for one year, followed by probation for two years beginning on the date Timothy R. South is reinstated to active status to practice law.
South was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by 1) failing to participate in a discovery conference, failing to update discovery, failing to respond to a motion for default, and motion in limine, failing to appear for the hearing on these motions, failing to move to vacate the default orders, and failing to timely file a response to the petition for dissolution; 2) failing to respond to a client’s requests for information, failing to inform the client about the upcoming trial, and failing to discuss with them the implications of respondent’s failures to respond to the petition for dissolution, discovery, motion for default, and motion in limine; 3) knowingly making false statements to the court; 4) failing to promptly return the client’s file after the representation terminated; 5) failing to timely provide a preliminary written response to the grievance, and failing to appear at a deposition, and to comply with a subpoena requiring the production of records.
Decision documents: Hearing Officer’s Recommendation; Disciplinary Board Order Declining Sua Sponte Review and Adopting Hearing Officer’s Recommendation; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
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