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Grant L. Anderson (WSBA No. 4016, admitted 1963), of Pierce County, has been suspended for two years, following a stipulation, by order of the Supreme Court dated May 4, 2000. The discipline is based upon his violation of Canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct.
On January 8, 1993, Mr. Anderson was sworn in as a judge in Pierce County Superior Court. In March 1996, the Bar Association commenced an investigation related to Mr. Anderson’s actions as personal representative for the estate of Charles Hoffman. Following an investigation, disciplinary counsel dismissed the matter on the grounds that insufficient evidence existed to establish a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct. On August 4, 1997, the Commission on Judicial Conduct filed a Statement of Charges against Mr. Anderson. On April 3, 1998, the Commission on Judicial Conduct filed its decision, dismissing four counts and finding violations of CJC Canons 1, 2(A), 5(C)(3) and 6(C) by his continuing to serve as president of the estate’s corporations through October 1993, after he had been sworn in as a superior court judge; failing to disclose to the trustee of the trust formed after the estate closed, that he was receiving compensation in the form of car payments from the purchaser of an estate asset, while the price for the asset was being negotiated; and failing to report his receipt of the car payments on his public disclosure filings for 1993, 1994 and 1995.
The Commission recommended that Mr. Anderson receive a censure and a four-month suspension, attend a course in judicial ethics, and amend his public disclosure filings. On May 12, 1999, in light of the Commission’s decision, the Bar Association reopened its investigation. On July 29, 1999, the Supreme Court upheld the Commission’s decision and increased the sanction to removal from office. By violating Canons 1, 2(A), 5(C)(3) and 6(C) of the Code of Judicial Conduct, Mr. Anderson is subject to discipline pursuant to RLD 1.1(k).
Disciplinary Counsel Douglas Ende represented the Bar Association. Kurt Bulmer represented Mr. Anderson.
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