Discipline Notice - John A. Walsh

License Number: 20603
Member Name: John A. Walsh
Discipline Detail
Action: Censure
Effective Date: 9/29/2000
RPC: 3.4 - Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel
8.4 (d) - Conduct Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice
Discipline Notice:
Description: John A. Walsh (WSBA No. 20603, admitted 1991), of Seattle, has been ordered censured pursuant to a stipulation approved by the Disciplinary Board on September 29, 2000. This discipline is based on Mr. Walsh’s violation of a court order during a jury trial.
In April 1996, Mr. Walsh represented a client in a criminal jury trial. The client was charged with second-degree assault against his wife. During the trial, Mr. Walsh called the wife as a defense witness and asked if she had ever testified in a domestic violence matter. After the prosecutor objected, the trial judge ruled that the answer to the question was inadmissible character evidence. Mr. Walsh then asked the witness if her former husband had been convicted of domestic violence. After the prosecutor objected to this question, Mr. Walsh shouted and pointed his finger at the witness, who then answered "yes."
The court subsequently found Mr. Walsh in contempt of court and sanctioned him $500. Mr. Walsh paid the sanction. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s contempt findings and sanction.
Mr. Walsh’s conduct violated RPCs 3.4(c), requiring lawyers to obey rules of the tribunal; and 8.4(d), prohibiting lawyers from engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Jean K. McElroy represented the Bar Association. Kurt Bulmer represented Mr. Walsh.


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