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Carmen K. Bullard (WSBA No. 19839, admitted
1990), of Bainbridge Island, resigned in lieu
of disbarment, effective December 21, 2011.
While not admitting to the misconduct, Ms.
Bullard admitted that the WSBA could prove,
by a clear preponderance of the evidence, the
violations set forth in the Statement of Alleged
Misconduct, and that proof of such violations
would suffice to result in her disbarment. These
violations included removing funds from trust
accounts without entitlement. According to the
Statement of Misconduct:
TWT is a Washington corporation formerly
in the business of serving as a trustee for
approximately 47 individual trusts. Between
2004 and September 28, 2010, Ms.
Bullard was president and co-owner of
TWT. Between July 27, 2010, and August
30, 2010, Ms. Bullard caused assets from
one or more of the 47 individual trusts to be
disbursed for her own benefit or the benefit
of the company in the following amounts:
$5,000 as a down payment for roof work on
her personal residence; $8,000 by means of
two bank counter checks; and $5,838.28 as
final payment for roof work on her personal
residence. Ms. Bullard asserts that she and
the company intended to repay the funds
to the trusts. Ms. Bullard did not have the
permission of the trusts to remove or use the
money for her own benefit, and knew that
she did not have permission. In September
2010, irregularities concerning the handling
of trust funds came to the attention of the
other owner of TWT. On September 28,
2010, Ms. Bullard resigned as president of
TWT. The co-owner of TWT filed a petition
for the appointment of a receiver based
on alleged mishandling of trust funds by
Ms. Bullard, who asserts that the bonding
company for TWT has repaid the funds referenced
above, in the amount of $17,822.30,
and that she has been financially unable to
repay the bonding company.
Ms. Bullard’s conduct violated RPC 8.4(c),
prohibiting a lawyer from engaging in conduct
involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Christine Gray represented the Bar Association.
Patrick C. Sheldon represented Ms. Bullard.
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