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Brian J. Sunderland (WSBA No. 22665, admitted 1993), of Clackamas, Oregon, was suspended for three years and nine months, effective August 14, 2009, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court imposing reciprocal discipline in accordance with an order of the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon following approval of a stipulation. This discipline is based on conduct in two separate discipline cases involving dishonesty and misrepresentation, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, charging excessive fees, conflicts of interest, failure to provide competent representation, failure to disclose that which the lawyer is required by law to reveal, failing to maintain complete records of client funds, neglect of a legal matter, lack of communication, failing to protect a client’s interests, and making misleading statements of material facts in connection with a disciplinary investigation. For more information, see Oregon State Bar Bulletin (July 2008 and Aug./Sept. 2009), available at www.osbar.org/publications/bulletin/08jul/baractions.html.
Mr. Sunderland’s conduct violated Oregon’s RPC 1.1 (competent representation); Oregon’s RPC 1.3 (neglect of a legal matter); Oregon’s RPC 1.4(a) (inadequate communication with a client); Oregon’s RPC 1.5(a) (collecting an illegal and an excessive fee); Oregon’s RPC 1.7(a) (conflict of interest); Oregon’s RPC 1.15-1(a) and (d) (inadequate records and accountings); Oregon’s RPC 1.16(d) (improper withdrawal); Oregon’s RPC 8.1(a)(1) and (2) (making misleading statements of material facts in connection with a disciplinary investigation); Oregon’s RPC 8.4(a)(3) and Oregon’s DR 1-102(A)(3) (misrepresentation); Oregon’s RPC 8.4(a)(4) and DR 1-102(A)(4) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice); and Oregon’s DR 7-102(A)(3) (failure to disclose that which the lawyer is required by law to reveal).
Joanne S. Abelson represented the Bar Association. Mr. Sunderland represented himself. |