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Kevin L. Johnson (WSBA No. 24784, admitted 1995) of Olympia, was suspended for 12 months, effective 11/23/2021, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Johnson’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.5 (Fees), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.15B (Required Trust Account Records), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 3.1 (Meritorious Claims and Contentions), 3.4 (Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel).
In relation to his handling of his trust account and a litigation matter, Johnson stipulated to suspension for: 1) failing to deposit Client A’s advanced fees into a trust account; 2) removing funds from the trust for use on behalf of Client A, when Client A had no funds in the trust account and by using another client’s funds on behalf of Client A; 3) removing funds from the trust account without giving notice to the client through a billing statement or other document; 4) making cash withdrawals from a trust account; 5) failing to provide a written accounting to a client after removing funds from a trust account; 6) failing to maintain a check register and client ledgers; 7) failing to reconcile a check register to the bank statements and by failing to reconcile a check register to client ledgers; 8) failing to maintain client funds in a trust account, by disbursing more funds from the trust account than the clients or third persons had on deposit, and by using one client’s funds on behalf of another; 9) filing frivolous counterclaims in a litigation matter; and 10) failing to return the property of a former client in the same litigation matter.
Francesca D'Angelo acted as disciplinary counsel. Kurt M. Bulmer represented Respondent. Diana M. Dearmin was the hearing officer. William J. Carlson was the settlement hearing officer. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Disciplinary Board Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to 12 Month Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
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