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Paul L. Henderson (WSBA No.8729, admitted 1978), of Vancouver, has been suspended for two years pursuant to a stipulation approved by the Disciplinary Board on November 29, 1999 and by the Supreme Court on January 21, 2000. The discipline is based on his criminal conviction of two counts of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree.
In 1995, Mr. Henderson became romantically involved with a court reporter whom he had worked with for several years, and represented once in the past. On December 12, 1995, while Mr. Henderson was a guest in the court reporter’s home, he smashed a vase to the floor on his way out. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office responded and filed a police report. This matter was resolved without formal criminal charges when Mr. Henderson paid for property damage to the vase and the floor.
On January 3, 1997, Mr. Henderson entered the court reporter’s home without permission, and threatened her and another person present with a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol. On August 20, 1997, Mr. Henderson pleaded guilty to two counts of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree.
Mr. Henderson’s conduct violated RLD 1.1(a), subjecting lawyers to disciplinary sanctions for unjustified acts of assault or other acts demonstrating disregard for the rule of law. The stipulated sanction in this matter involved mitigating factors including personal and emotional problems and interim rehabilitation.
Linda Eide represented the Bar Association. Kurt Bulmer represented Mr. Henderson. The hearing officer was Frederick D. Gentry.
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