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Charles E. Robbins (WSBA No.3976, admitted 1967), of Puyallup, was disbarred, following a stipulation to discipline, approved by the Supreme Court on January 22, 2003. This discipline is based on his dishonest conduct in 2000 and failure to return disputed funds to his trust account in 1999.
Matter 1: In October 1997, Mr. Robbins agreed to represent a client in a personal injury claim. In May 2000, the client settled the claim for $49,500. Mr. Robbins told the client that he would attempt to negotiate a reduced amount with the medical providers, to increase her recovery. The client specifically asked Mr. Robbins to pay the PA bill in full. Mr. Robbins paid seven providers in full, but paid PA and PH only 75% of their billed amount. Mr. Robbins sent a cover letter to PA stating that the payment “represent[s] payment in full of [the client’s] outstanding account, less 25% for attorneys fees in collecting this account, per Washington State law.” Washington State law did not entitle Mr. Robbins to these fees. On June 9, 2000, Mr. Robbins sent the client a settlement statement indicating he paid PA and PH’s entire bills. On June 12, 2000, PA disputed the payment. In response, Mr. Robbins reissued a check to PA in the same amount. Four days later, without notice to his client, Mr. Robbins paid himself the $1,684.51 remaining in his trust account.
Matter 2: In May 2000, Mr. Robbins filled out a credit card application for Robbins Enterprises. He used his office address and his business post office box address. He used a birth-date close to his son’s and his son’s social security number. The credit card company believed the application was from Mr. Robbins’ son. Mr. Robbins’ son did not authorize use of his social security number of application for a credit card.
Matter 3: in January 1997, Mr. Robbins agreed to represent a minor in a personal injury claim. Mr. Robbins did not prepare a written fee agreement. He told the clients any fee had to be approved by the court, but would likely be one third of any recovery. Later in 1997, Mr. Robbins began representing the minor’s grandparents. In December 1998, the grandparents’ case settled and they disputed Mr. Robbins’ $4,400 fee. Although he told the grandparents he would not take the fee, he did not return the money to the trust account. In January 1999, the personal injury client, who was now over 18, terminated Mr. Robbins’ services. Mr. Robbins wrote a letter to her parents indicting he was charging $6,241.25 for the work on the daughter’s case and that he would apply the grandparents’ $4,400 to the unpaid balance. The grandparents objected to use of their funds to satisfy a bill for an unrelated matter. As of the date of the stipulation, Mr. Robbins had not returned the grandparents’ money to his trust account.
Mr. Robbins’ conduct violated RPCs 8.4(b), prohibiting committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; 8.4(c), prohibiting conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, fraud or misrepresentation; and 1.14(a), requiring lawyers to deposit all client funds in a trust account.
John Bergmann and Christine Gray represented the Bar Association. Steven J. Brown represented Mr. Robbins.
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