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James Charles Lawrie (WSBA No. 667, admitted 1975), of Bellevue, was suspended for two years, effective February 9, 2011, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court following a default hearing. This discipline is based on conduct involving failure to cooperate with a Bar Association investigation.
In May 2008, Client A filed a grievance with the Association, alleging that Mr. Lawrie had agreed to represent her in an action to obtain child support, but had failed to perform any work on her case or earn the $800 in fees she paid him. The matter was assigned to a conflicts review officer. In September 2008, the matter was assigned to a special disciplinary counsel (SDC), who twice wrote to Mr. Lawrie requesting documentation. Mr. Lawrie did not respond or provide the requested information. On June 1, 2009, Mr. Lawrie was suspended from the practice of law for nonpayment of fees. Client A’s grievance was subsequently assigned to disciplinary counsel who, in November 2009, requested from Mr. Lawrie the same information that was requested by the SDC nearly a year before. On December 8, 2009, Mr. Lawrie was personally served with a subpoena for a deposition scheduled on December 29, 2009.
On December 9, 2009, Mr. Lawrie left a voicemail message for disciplinary counsel requesting communications occur via email. On that same date, disciplinary counsel sent Mr. Lawrie an email requesting that he attend the deposition. The day before the deposition, Mr. Lawrie sent disciplinary counsel an email in which he stated, “I have given much thought to this situation and will not be attending any depositions (or otherwise cooperating with any investigation) on this issue. If I am further suspended or even disbarred, I am prepared to accept that.”
Mr. Lawrie’s conduct violated RPC 8.4(l), prohibiting a lawyer from violating a duty or sanction imposed by or under the Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct in connection with a disciplinary matter.
Erica W. Temple represented the Bar Association. Mr. Lawrie did not appear either in person or through counsel. Octavia Y. Hathaway was the hearing officer. |