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James A. Lanza (WSBA No. 11625, admitted
1981), of Port Townsend, was suspended for six
months, effective November 25, 2011, by order
of the Washington State Supreme Court following
approval of a stipulation. This discipline is
based on conduct involving practicing law while
suspended and violating duties on suspension.
Mr. Lanza failed to pay his 2010 annual licensing
fees to the Bar Association by the February
1, 2010, deadline. On February 22, 2010, the Bar
Association sent Mr. Lanza a pre-suspension
notice by certified mail, which gave him an
additional 60 days to pay his licensing fees. The
letter warned him that if he failed to comply, the
Supreme Court would enter an order suspending
him from the practice of law. Mr. Lanza signed the
return receipt on March 2, 2010, indicating that
he had received the notice, but did not take any
action to pay his licensing fees within the 60 days.
On May 4, 2010, the Supreme Court entered
an order suspending Mr. Lanza from the practice
of law effective May 11, 2010, for failure to pay his
licensing fees. That same day, the Bar Association
sent Mr. Lanza a letter by certified mail informing
him of his suspension and its effective date. In that
letter, the Bar Association also informed Mr. Lanza
of his duties on suspension, including the fact
that he was prohibited from any further practice
of law until reinstated and that, within 25 days of
his suspension, he was required to file an affidavit
showing full compliance with notice provisions of
ELC Title 14. Mr. Lanza signed the return receipt
indicating that he had received the notice of suspension
and duties on suspension letter.
Mr. Lanza failed to file an affidavit of compliance
as required by ELC 14.3. On June 10, 2010, after
the effective date of his suspension, Mr. Lanza
signed a collection complaint as the attorney
for a collection service company. The complaint
was filed in district court. Mr. Lanza’s conduct
constituted the unauthorized practice of law.
Mr. Lanza’s conduct violated RPC 5.5(a),
prohibiting a lawyer from practicing law in a
jurisdiction in violation of the regulation of the
legal profession in that jurisdiction; RPC 5.8(a),
prohibiting a lawyer from engaging in the practice
of law while on inactive status, or while suspended
from the practice of law for any cause; and 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.
Francesca D’Angelo represented the Bar Association.
Mr. Lanza represented himself. |