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James N. Turner (WSBA No. 16199, admitted 1986), of Bellingham, received a reprimand on September 30, 2010, following approval of a stipulation by a hearing officer. This discipline is based on conduct involving failure to act diligently and failure to communicate. James N. Turner is to be distinguished from James Spencer Turner, of Beaux Arts, and James Stanley Turner, of Chehalis.
During 2007 and 2008, Mr. Turner represented three individual clients; two on traffic violations and one on a probation matter. While representing each of these individual clients, Mr. Turner failed to appear for hearings in their cases, failed to inform clients that he had not appeared for their hearings, failed to return their telephone calls or respond to their attempts to obtain information about their cases, and failed to keep them reasonably informed about the status of their cases.
Mr. Turner’s conduct violated RPC 1.3, requiring a lawyer to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; and RPC 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 these 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 when the lawyer knows that the client expects assistance not permitted by the Rules or other law, and explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation.
Debra J. Slater represented the Bar Association. Mr. Turner represented himself. Erik S. Bakke Sr. was the hearing officer.
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