Discipline Notice - Michael W. Smith

License Number: 6106
Member Name: Michael W. Smith
Discipline Detail
Action: Reprimand
Effective Date: 9/26/1997
RPC: 3.5 - (prior to 9/1/2006) Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel
8.4 (d) - Conduct Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice
Discipline Notice:
Description: Lawyer Michael W. Smith (WSBA No. 6106, admitted 1975) has been ordered reprimanded pursuant to a stipulation approved by the Disciplinary Board of the Washington State Bar Association on September 26, 1997. The discipline is based upon Smith’s conduct during criminal trial.
In April 1991, Smith represented client Garrett on a charge of second degree child molestation in Skagit County Superior Court. Throughout the trial, Smith engaged in disrespectful conduct toward the court, referred in front of the jury evidence that had been ruled inadmissible, and refused to voir dire four prospective jurors and to brief legal issues because he disagreed with the court’s decisions. Smith’s conduct violated the Oath of Attorney and Rules of Professional Conduct 3.5(c) and 8.4(d), and subjected him to discipline pursuant to Rules for Lawyer Discipline 1.1(c) and (i). The hearing officer was John E. Hanson of Bellevue. Respondent was represented by Lowell H. Ashbac Jr. The Bar Association was represented by Disciplinary Counsel Marsha A. Matsumoto.


In some cases, discipline search results will not reveal all disciplinary action relating to a Washington licensed legal professional, and may not display links to the official decision documents. Click the "Important Information" button below for further details.

Important Information +

This discipline search accesses notices of disciplinary action since 1984, and for cases decided in 2013 or later, also generally includes the official decision documents. The search does not contain pre-1984 notices or records, and may not contain the official decision documents in cases decided before 2013. To obtain other records of discipline, including pre-1984 discipline documents, please make a public records request.

The action listed on the discipline notice does not in all cases reflect the current status of the legal professional's license. Check the Legal Directory for current status information.