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Michael Ray Karber (WSBA No. 24044, admitted 1994), of Phoenix, Arizona, was suspended for 21 months, effective July 28, 2008, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court imposing reciprocal discipline in accordance with an order of the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona. This discipline is based on conduct involving failure to act with diligence, failure to communicate, failure to protect clients’ interests, failure to cooperate with a bar association investigation, commission of a criminal act, and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. For more information, see Arizona Attorney (December 2009), available at www.myazbar.org.
Mr. Karber’s conduct violated Arizona’s ER 1.3, requiring a lawyer to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; Arizona’s ER 1.4, requiring a lawyer to promptly inform the client of any decision or circumstance with respect to which the client’s informed consent is required by the rules, reasonably consult with the client about the means by which the client’s objectives are to be accomplished, keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter, promptly comply with reasonable requests for information, consult with the client about any relevant limitation on the lawyer’s conduct, explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation, and, in a criminal case, promptly inform a client of all proffered plea agreements; Arizona’s ER 1.16(d), requiring a lawyer, upon termination of representation, to take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client’s interests; Arizona’s ER 8.1(b), prohibiting a lawyer, in connection with a disciplinary matter, from failing to disclose a fact necessary to correct a misapprehension; Arizona’s ER 8.4(b), prohibiting a lawyer from committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; and Arizona’s ER 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. Karber represented himself.
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