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Dennis Scott (WSBA No. 7226, admitted 1976), of Anacortes, was suspended for 120 days, effective June 22, 2001, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court following approval of a stipulation by the Disciplinary Board.
Between approximately1998 and 2000, Mr. Scott engaged in the following conduct that established grounds for discipline:
--Obtaining court orders in three matters, and amending a Qualified Domestic Relations Order in one matter, without providing requisite notice to the opposing parties;
--In four matters, submitting court orders without notifying the court that the opposing parties had not been given requisite notice;
--Failing to adequately prepare to oppose a summary judgment motion, failing to file a response to the summary judgment motion, failing to appear at the hearing, and failing to schedule a motion to vacate the summary judgment motion;
--Failing to represent a client¡¦s interests;
--Failing to keep clients adequately informed about the status of their lawsuit and failing to inform a client about entry of a summary judgment order;
--In two matters, failing to promptly return unearned advance fees following his withdrawal from the representations;
--Failure to properly effectuate service of a petition on a party, resulting in an inability to obtain personal jurisdiction over the party.
Mr. Scott¡¦s conduct violated RPC 1.3, requiring a lawyer to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; RPC 1.4(a), requiring a lawyer to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; RPC 1.15(d), requiring a lawyer, when terminating representation, to take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect the client¡¦s interests; RPC 3.3(f), requiring a lawyer in an ex parte proceeding to inform the tribunal of all relevant facts known to the lawyer that should be disclosed to permit the tribunal to make an informed decision; RPC 3.4(c), prohibiting a lawyer from knowingly disobeying an obligation under the rules of a tribunal; and RPC 8.4(d), prohibiting a lawyer from engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Jonathan H. Burke represented the Bar Association. Patrick Stiley and Brent Featherston represented Mr. Scott.
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