Discipline Notice - Paul J. Novack

License Number: 13880
Member Name: Paul J. Novack
Discipline Detail
Action: Suspension
Effective Date: 8/11/2021
RPC: 1.15A - Safeguarding Property
1.15B - Required Trust Account Records
5.3 - Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants
Discipline Notice: Order Approving Stipulation
Stipulation
Washington Supreme Court Order
Description: Paul John Novack (WSBA No. 13880, admitted 1983) of Everett, was suspended for nine months, effective 8/11/2021, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Novack’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.15B (Required Trust Account Records), 5.3 (Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants).

In relation to his handling of the trust account for his personal injury law practice, Novack stipulated to suspension for: 1) failing to supervise his non-lawyer assistant’s management of his trust account and/or by failing to make reasonable efforts to ensure the his firm had in effect measures giving reasonable assurance that his assistant’s conduct was compatible with his professional obligations; 2) failing to keep individual client ledgers and a current and accurate check register; and 3) failing to reconcile the check register balance to the combined total of all client ledgers.

Kathy Jo Blake and Sachia Stonefeld Powell acted as disciplinary counsel. Leland G. Ripley represented Respondent. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Disciplinary Board Order Approving Stipulation to Suspension; Stipulation to Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.


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