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Fiona A.C. Kennedy (WSBA No. 32385, admitted 2002), of Kirkland, received a reprimand on November 10, 2010, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court imposing reciprocal discipline in accordance with an order of the Supreme Court of the State of Idaho following approval of a stipulation. This discipline is based on conduct involving failure to abide by a client's decisions concerning the objectives of representation, failure to act diligently, failure to communicate, failure to return unearned fees, failure to expedite litigation, knowingly disobeying an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. For more information, see the Idaho State Bar's official publication, The Advocate (June/July 2010), available at www.isb.idaho.gov/pdf/advocate/issues/adv10junjul.pdf.
Ms. Kennedy's conduct violated Idaho's RPC 1.2(a), requiring a lawyer to abide by a client's decisions concerning the objectives of representation and consult with the client as to the means by which they are to be pursued; Idaho's RPC 1.3, requiring a lawyer to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; Idaho's 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, 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 client expects assistance not permitted by the rules, and explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation; Idaho's RPC 1.16(d), requiring a lawyer, upon termination of representation, to take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client's interests; Idaho's RPC 3.2, requiring a lawyer to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of the client; Idaho's RPC 3.4(c), prohibiting a lawyer from knowingly disobeying an obligation under the rules of a tribunal; Idaho's RPC 8.1(b), prohibiting a lawyer from failing to disclose a fact necessary to correct a misapprehension known by the person to have arisen in the matter, or knowingly failing to respond to a lawful demand for information from an admissions or disciplinary authority; and Idaho's RPC 8.4(d), prohibiting a lawyer from engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Joanne S. Abelson represented the Bar Association. Ms. Kennedy represented herself. |