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Patrick Francis Shearer (WSBA No. 52831, admitted 2017) of Bellevue, WA, was suspended for 90 days, effective 10/1/2025, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Sachia Stonefeld Powell acted as disciplinary counsel. Jeffrey T Kestle represented Respondent. Knowrasa T Patrick was the hearing officer.
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), 3.4 (Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation) and 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice).
Shearer stipulated to suspension for: (1) failing to keep a client reasonably informed about the status if the case, failing to promptly comply with the client’s reasonable request for information, and failing to explain the matter to the client to the extent reasonably necessary to allow the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation; (2) failing to respond to discovery requests and other reasonable inquiries of the opposing party’s counsel in a dissolution case, and failing to respond to motions; (3) failing to produce information responsive to the opposing party’s counsel’s discovery requests; and (4) informing the opposing party’s counsel and the court that the client was fully informed and was seeking information regarding stocks from the client’s employer, when that was not true.
Decision documents: Disciplinary Board Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
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