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Michael E. Jones (WSBA No. 331, admitted 1971), of Mountlake Terrace, has been suspended for 60 days, following a stipulation approved by order of the Supreme Court dated April 30, 2001. The suspension began May 10, 2001. This discipline is based on his failure to respond to a request for response from disciplinary counsel in 2000. (Note: Michael E. Jones is to be distinguished from Michael R. Jones of Boise, Idaho.)
In April 2000, a client filed a grievance against Mr. Jones. In May 2000, disciplinary counsel mailed Mr. Jones a request for response to the grievance. Mr. Jones did not respond or contact the Bar Association. In July 2000, disciplinary counsel served a subpoena for Mr. Jones to appear for a deposition and requested that he bring documents related to the grievance. Mr. Jones failed to appear for his deposition or provide the documents. In September, disciplinary counsel notified Mr. Jones that he would seek review committee authority to file a petition for interim suspension. Mr. Jones did not respond. The review committee authorized disciplinary counsel to seek interim suspension.
On November 8, 2000, disciplinary counsel filed a petition for interim suspension. After the Supreme Court issued an order to show cause, requiring Mr. Jones to appear and show cause why he should not be suspended, Mr. Jones retained counsel, Kurt Bulmer. Mr. Bulmer filed a response to the show-cause order, filed a response to the grievance, and paid all outstanding costs on Mr. Jones’s behalf. Disciplinary counsel moved to withdraw its petition for interim suspension. In February 2001, Mr. Jones stipulated to a suspension for his failure to respond to the Bar Association.
Douglas Ende represented the Bar Association. Kurt Bulmer represented Mr. Jones.
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