| Description: |
Souphavady Bounlutay (WSBA No. 30552, admitted 2000) of Seattle, was disbarred, effective 11/10/2021, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Bounlutay’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.4 (Communication), 1.7 (Conflict of Interest: Current Clients), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 3.1 (Meritorious Claims and Contentions), 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal), 8.4(b) (Criminal Act), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation).
In relation to her handling of settlement funds for clients in personal injury cases, the Hearing Officer recommended, and the Supreme Court ordered, that Bounlutay be disbarred following a hearing. Bounlutay was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by: 1) converting client settlement funds; 2) providing clients with false accountings, by misrepresenting to clients that Respondent had paid their medical liens and money owed to Provider A (Bounlutay’s husband, a chiropractor), and by failing to inform clients that she had taken settlement funds designated for third parties; 3) representing Client A and Client B in Provider A’s lawsuits against them when there was significant risk that the representation would be limited by Bounlutay’s own personal interest, without gaining either client’s informed consent, confirmed in writing; and 4) filing an answer in the litigation between Client A and Provider A in which Bounlutay falsely denied that Client A had failed to pay Provider A when Client A’s case had settled, when Bounlutay knew the denial was false.
Francesca D'Angelo acted as disciplinary counsel. Mark Clayton Choate represented Respondent. Andre M. Penalver was the hearing officer. Diana Marie Dearmin was the settlement hearing officer. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Declining Sua Sponte Review and Adopting Hearing Officer’s Decision; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
|