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James Sinclair (WSBA No. 52172, admitted 2017) of Spokane, WA, was disbarred, effective 3/19/2026, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Francisco Rodriguez acted as disciplinary counsel. James Sinclair represented themselves. Randolph O Petgrave III was the hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.1 (Competence), 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees), 1.8 (Conflict of Interest: Current Clients: Specific Rules), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 3.2 (Expediting Litigation), 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal), 4.1 (Truthfulness in Statements to Others), 8.1 (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters), 8.4(b) (Criminal Act), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice) and 8.4(l) (ELC violation).
The hearing officer recommended, and the court ordered, that Sinclair be disbarred from the practice of law in Washington State.
Sinclair was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by 1) failing to provide a client with competent representation, 2) making false statements to the court and the prosecutor, 3) making a false statement to the public defender’s office about having submitted a discovery request, 4) paying the fee for the client’s bond and/or by providing a credit card guarantee as security for the bond, 5) failing to act with reasonable diligence in representing the client, 6) terminating the client’s representation without reasonable notice, failing to refund unearned fees and/or costs, and/or failing to preserve and/or provide the client with papers to which the client was entitled, 7) failing to reasonably and promptly communicate with the client regarding the scope of representation and basis for Respondent’s fees, 8) charging the client fees for work that was not performed and/or for costs that were not incurred and/or by failing to refund advance payments that were not earned, 8) failing to promptly respond to disciplinary counsel's investigative inquiries and/or requests for records, and/or by failing to provide subpoenaed records.
Decision documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Declining Sua Sponte Review and Adopting Hearing Officer’s Decision; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
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