Discipline Notice - Richard K. Clyne

License Number: 21556
Member Name: Richard K. Clyne
Discipline Detail
Action: Censure
Effective Date: 3/15/2000
RPC: 1.14 - (prior to 9/1/2006) Preserving Identity of Funds and Property of a Client
Discipline Notice:
Description: Richard K. Clyne (WSBA No. 21556, admitted 1992), of Seattle, has been ordered censured pursuant to a Stipulation to Censure approved by the Disciplinary Board on March 15, 2000. This discipline is based on Mr. Clyne’s failure to keep non-client funds separate from client funds in a lawyer trust account.
Mr. Clyne attended law school with Barbara Beatty. While in school, Mr. Clyne worked as a legal assistant for Ms. Beatty. After passing the bar exam, Mr. Clyne worked as an associate for Ms. Beatty. In the summer of 1992, Ms. Beatty began soliciting investors in a real estate project to build four single-family residences. Ms. Beatty had real estate experience and acted as the project developer. Mr. Clyne has some construction experience. Ms. Beatty asked Mr. Clyne to assist as site advisor. Some of the money from this investment project passed through the lawyer trust account that also contained client funds. Mr. Clyne suggested to Ms. Beatty that they open a separate account for the investment money, but no new account was ever opened. Both Ms. Beatty’s and Mr. Clyne’s signatures were required for trust account checks. Mr. Clyne wrote checks from the trust account for project expenses. In February 1999, Ms. Beatty was sentenced on one count of securities fraud for her role in this investment project. Mr. Clyne was not criminally charged.
Mr. Clyne’s conduct violated RPC 1.14, requiring only client funds to be placed in a lawyer trust account.
Linda Eide represented the Bar Association. Mr. Clyne represented himself.


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