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Alfredo Lopez (WSBA No. 17502, admitted 1987), of Seattle, has received a reprimand based on a stipulation approved by the Disciplinary Board on July 14, 2000. The discipline is based upon his failure to diligently represent a client, and willful disobedience of a court order.
In January 1993, Mr. Lopez agreed to represent a client who had been injured on a Metro bus in 1991. Mr. Lopez determined that the settlement offered by Metro was insufficient and filed a notice of claim with King County on November 17, 1994. Mr. Lopez failed to commence the action within the three-year statute of limitations. Mr. Lopez met with the client after the statute expired and explained that the claim was lost because he had not filed the lawsuit. Mr. Lopez also advised the client that she could seek independent counsel to consider her options.
On September 7, 1995, the client filed a malpractice action against Mr. Lopez. On November 15, 1996, the parties put the terms of a $15,000 settlement on the record. The terms required Mr. Lopez to pay $5,000 initially, and then make month-ly payments. Mr. Lopez also agreed to satisfy all medical liens, and the settlement was secured by a deed of trust on Mr. Lopez’s real property and an interest in his 1986 Porsche. Mr. Lopez made the initial $5,000 payment, but failed to make any monthly payments or provide evidence that the medical liens were satisfied. When the client’s malpractice lawyer investigated collecting the judgment, she determined that Mr. Lopez had sold the Porsche.
On June 24, 1999, the court found Mr. Lopez in contempt for failing to comply with the court order regarding payments and for selling the Porsche. The court ordered Mr. Lopez to purge the contempt by paying the client the $2,500 he made on the Porsche, in three monthly installments. Mr. Lopez failed to make these payments, and on October 22, 1999, the court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. In March 2000, Mr. Lopez satisfied the judgment in full.
Mr. Lopez’s conduct violated RPCs 1.4, requiring lawyers to keep their clients reasonably informed of the status of their matters; 1.3, requiring lawyers to diligently represent clients; 1.1, requiring lawyers to provide competent representation to clients; and RLD 1.1(b), prohibiting lawyers from willfully disobeying court orders.
Andrew Becker represented the Bar Association. Kurt Bulmer represented Mr. Lopez.
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