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Douglas Holmes Prestrud (WSBA No. 29913, admitted 2000) of Seattle, was suspended for six months, effective 11/11/2021, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Prestrud’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.1 (Competence), 1.3 (Diligence), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.15B (Required Trust Account Records), 8.4(l) (ELC violation).
In relation to his handling of fees and to his representation of a client in a family law matter, the Hearing Officer recommended, and the Supreme Court ordered, that Prestrud be suspended following a default hearing. Prestrud was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by: 1) failing to deposit fees paid in advance into a trust account; 2) failing to file a motion for reconsideration timely, failing to file the motion electronically, and/or by basing the motion for reconsideration on improper grounds; 3) failing to promptly respond to a request for a response to the grievance, and/or by failing to provide a full and complete response to disciplinary counsel’s inquiries and/or subpoena duces tecum for information relevant to a grievance; and 4) failing to maintain a copy of the fee agreement
Chris Chang and Sachia Stonefeld Powell acted as disciplinary counsel. Douglas Holmes Prestrud represented himself. Randolph O. Petgrave, III was the 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.
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