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Reprimanded
Antonio Salazar (WSBA No. 6273, admitted 1975), of Seattle, was ordered to receive a reprimand, effective March 25, 2008, following approval of a stipulation by the Disciplinary Board. This discipline is based on conduct involving misrepresentation.
On October 2004, Mr. Salazar was hired to represent a client in recovering for injuries suffered in an accident that occurred on September 22, 2004, in Oregon. The representation lasted from October 5, 2004, the date of the contingency fee agreement, to June 29, 2005. The majority of Mr. Salazar’s efforts were centered on negotiations with the client’s insurance carrier to recover the maximum amount available under the policy.
On June 15, 2005, in a telephone conversation with Mr. Salazar, the representative for the insurance carrier made an offer of settlement. Mr. Salazar replied he would check with his client and get back to him. Later that day, someone from Mr. Salazar’s office telephoned the insurance representative to inform him that the offer had been accepted. In fact, Mr. Salazar’s client had not agreed to accept the settlement. That same day, Mr. Salazar wrote to his client advising him of the offer and requested that the client call him.
The insurance carrier sent a letter, dated June 15, 2005, confirming the settlement and enclosed a $25,000 draft along with a release. Mr. Salazar and the insurance carrier understood that there would be no acceptance until the client signed the release. In a letter dated June 17, 2005, Mr. Salazar sent the release to his client and urged him to accept the insurance carrier’s offer of settlement. On June 29, 2005, Mr. Salazar received a letter, dated June 24, from an Oregon attorney advising that he was now representing Mr. Salazar’s client. Upon receipt of that letter, Mr. Salazar wrote to the insurance carrier advising them that a new attorney was representing the client and enclosed the $25,000 draft.
Mr. Salazar’s conduct violated former and current RPC 8.4(c), prohibiting a lawyer from engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.
Fuchsia Dulan represented the Bar Association. George Paul Trejo, Jr. represented Mr. Salazar. Peter A. Matty was the hearing officer.
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