| Description: |
John R. Scannell (WSBA No. 31035, admitted 2001), of Seattle, was ordered by the Disciplinary Board to receive a reprimand on December 17, 2009. This discipline is based on conduct involving failure to act diligently, lack of communication, failure to expedite litigation, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
In 2004–2005, Mr. Scannell represented a client in a lawsuit against his former employer. A U.S. District Court judge dismissed all the client's claims with prejudice and imposed sanctions due to Mr. Scannell's failure to communicate with defense counsel, failure to timely file the complaint, failure to timely amend the complaint to name the proper defendant, repeated failures to meet court deadlines, failure to heed the court's warnings about meeting court deadlines, failure to produce discovery, and failure to inform his client of a duly noted deposition.
Mr. Scannell's conduct violated RPC 1.3, requiring a lawyer to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; former 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 3.2, requiring a lawyer to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of the client; and RPC 8.4(d), prohibiting a lawyer from engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Linda B. Eide and Scott G. Busby represented the Bar Association. Mr. Scannell represented himself. Vernon W. Harkins was the hearing officer. |