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Colleen A. Hartl (WSBA No. 18051, admitted 1988) of North Bend, was suspended for two years, effective 12/13/2023, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Hartl’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 3.1 (Meritorious Claims and Contentions), 3.2 (Expediting Litigation), 3.4 (Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice).
In relation to her representation of a client in a family law matter, Hartl stipulated to suspension for: 1) asserting objections to discovery requests that had no basis in law or fact; 2) failing to produce information responsive to discovery requests; 3) failing to timely communicate with her client regarding discovery requests and a first motion to compel, failing to advise her client about a second motion to compel and related hearing, and failing to inform her client of Hartl’s termination from her law firm employment; 3) failing to timely respond to discovery requests, and failing to respond to motions to compel; and 4) failing to give her client reasonable notice of Hartl’s termination from her law firm employment, and failing to inform others at her law firm about the hearing on the second motion to compel.
Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Colleen A. Hartl represented herself. Carl Joseph Oreskovich was the hearing officer. Seth A. Fine 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 Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
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