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Walter O. Peale III (WSBA No. 7889, admitted 1977) of Shoreline, was reprimanded, effective 10/06/2021, by order of the hearing officer. Peale’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.5 (Fees), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.15B (Required Trust Account Records), 8.4(l) (ELC violation).
In relation to his actions while on disciplinary probation and his handling of his trust account, following a hearing the Hearing Officer recommended that Peale be reprimanded for: 1) failing to provide trust account records and fee agreements, as required by the terms of a 2017 probation order; 2) failing to fully and completely respond to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel’s inquiries in a 2019 grievance and failing to completely and accurately respond to a subpoena duces tecum; 3) failing to maintain accurate, current, and complete trust account records; 4) failing to properly and accurately reconcile his trust account records; and 5) failing to deposit fees paid in advance by clients A, B, and C into his trust account.
Chris Chang and Kathy Jo Blake acted as disciplinary counsel. Kevin M. Bank represented Respondent. James Smith was the hearing officer. William E. Fitzharris, Jr. was the settlement hearing officer. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Order Modifying Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Chair Order Declining Referral of Sua Sponte Review Consideration; and Notice of Reprimand.
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