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Suspended
Jonathan Morrison (WSBA No. 31153, admitted 2001), of Port Orchard, was suspended from the practice of law for six months, effective October 24, 2008, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court following approval of a stipulation. This discipline is based on conduct in four matters involving failure to appear for court hearings, failure to communicate with clients, providing untimely notice to the clients, and charging excessive fees.
Between March 2006 and December 2007, Mr. Morrison engaged in the following conduct:
• Repeatedly failed to appear for court hearings in two matters, resulting in multiple continuances;
• Failed to advise clients in two matters that he would not be appearing on their behalf at court hearings, or provided untimely notice to these clients that he would not be appearing; failed to advise a client in one matter of his inability to represent him diligently due to his case load; and failed to respond promptly to a client’s requests for information about her case; and
• Retained fees in three matters when he performed little work that benefited the clients in these matters.
Mr. Morrison’s conduct violated RPC 1.3, requiring a lawyer to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; RPC 1.4, requiring a lawyer to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter, promptly comply with reasonable requests for information, and explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation; RPC 1.5(a), requiring a lawyer’s fee to be reasonable; RPC 1.16(d), requiring a lawyer, upon termination of representation, to take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client’s interests, such as refunding any advance payment of fee or expense that has not been earned; and RPC 8.4(d), prohibiting a lawyer from engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Joanne S. Abelson represented the Bar Association. Mr. Morrison represented himself.
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