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John Michael McWilliams (WSBA No. 44254, admitted 2011) of Bellevue, WA, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 6/22/2026. The lawyer agrees that they are aware of the alleged misconduct in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct and rather than defend against the allegations, they wish to permanently resign from membership in the Association. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Kenneth Scott Kagan represented Respondent. Jeff H Capell was the hearing officer. Timothy J. O’Connell was the settlement hearing officer.
The Statement of Alleged Misconduct reflects the following violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.15B (Required Trust Account Records), 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), 8.4(i) (Moral Turpitude, Corruption or Disregard of Rule of Law) and 8.4(l) (ELC violation).
McWilliams’ alleged misconduct includes: (1) misappropriating estate funds, charging a client’s credit card without authorization, and/or using the client’s advance bond without authorization, (2) using and/or converting client funds held in trust, (3) failing to deposit the client’s advance bond into a trust account and/or failing to hold estate funds in a trust account, (4) withdrawing funds from the trust account before fees were earned and/or failing to provide the client with written notice of Respondent’s intent to withdraw earned fees from the trust account, (5) failing to promptly and/or accurately provide a written accounting to the client after distributing funds from trust and/or upon the client’s request, and/or failing to timely communicate with the client regarding fees allegedly earned, (6) failing to promptly deliver funds to the client for distribution to the heirs of the estate, (7) failing to maintain disputed legal fees in trust, (8) using estate funds on behalf of another client and/or disbursing funds in excess of the amount a client had on deposit, (9) failing to maintain a complete and/or current check register, (10) failing to maintain complete and/or current client ledgers, (11) failing to reconcile check registers with client ledgers, (12) collecting tens of thousands of dollars more than the amount earned in the relevant estate matter, (13) making false statements in connection with the disciplinary investigation, (14) testifying falsely under oath at a January 23, 2025 deposition, and (15) failing to respond, and/or to respond promptly, to disciplinary counsel’s written requests and/or subpoenas for records.
Decision document: Resignation Form of John Michael McWilliams ELC 9.3(b).
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