| Description: |
Aaron Lee Lowe (WSBA No. 15120, admitted 1985) of Spokane, was suspended for 3 years, effective 12/23/2022, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Lowe’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation).
In relation to his handling of legal matters for Client A in a personal injury case, and Client B in a property damage case, the Hearing Officer recommended, and the Supreme Court ordered, that Lowe be suspended following a hearing. Lowe was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by: 1) failing to timely respond to the opposing party’s requests for information, failing to timely respond to his client’s insurer’s requests for information, and failing to pursue Client A’s claim with his insurance; 2) failing to promptly comply with Client A’s reasonable requests for information, failing to keep Client A informed of the status of the matter, and failing to inform Client A of his insurance’s requests for information; 3) falsely stating to Client A that his insurer did not respond to Lowe’s phone calls; 4) failing to make arrangements for soil testing, failing to file a claim with the city, and otherwise failing to pursue Client B’s case; 5) failing to communicate with Client B regarding the status of the case; 6) employing a fee agreement that failed to clearly explain the basis or rate of the fee Lowe was charging, and how the fee Client B paid would be applied; and 7) failing to return unearned fees upon being terminated by Client B, thereby charging an unreasonable fee.
Sachia Stonefeld Powell acted as disciplinary counsel. Aaron Lee Lowe represented himself. Bruce E. Heller 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: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Declining Sua Sponte Review; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
|