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J. J. Sandlin (WSBA No.7392, admitted 1977) of Zillah, WA, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 3/24/2020. Sandlin agrees that he is aware of the alleged misconduct in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct and rather than defend against the allegations, he wishes to permanently resign from membership in the Association. The Statement of Alleged Misconduct reflects the following violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.4 (Communication), 1.6 (Confidentiality of Information), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 3.1 (Meritorious Claims and Contentions), 3.2 (Expediting Litigation), 4.4 (Respect for Rights of Third Person), 8.4 (Misconduct).
Sandlin’s alleged misconduct, as stated in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct, related to his representation of homeowners in foreclosure matters, and includes: 1) filing and prosecuting frivolous claims; 2) failure to include the required citations to the record, thus increasing the burden of time, effort, expense and other resources the Court of Appeals would have to invest to review and evaluate the merits of his client’s appeal; 3) asserting claims and defenses in lawsuits that were frivolous and by filing a bankruptcy without having a basis in fact or law for doing so; 4) unreasonably delaying and/or prolonging cases; 5) filing a lawsuit based on assertions that were frivolous in order to enjoin or restrain unlawful detainer actions, had no substantial purpose other than to delay a litigant, and that was prejudicial to the administration of justice; 6) failing to convey to clients information about the status of their case and to explain adequately the strength of their claims and options; 7) intentionally disclosing client’s confidential bank account information to a third party without the client’s consent; 8) filing and prosecuting a lawsuit under circumstances where the allegations had no basis in fact or law; and 9) placing advance payment in his general account rather than his trust account, and by taking a deposit for his own use, rather than withdrawing earned fees only after giving reasonable notice to the client of intent to do so.
M Craig Bray acted as disciplinary counsel. Leland G. Ripley represented respondent. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: Resignation Form of J.J. Sandlin (ELC 9.3(b)).
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