Discipline Notice - Paul H. King

License Number: 7370
Member Name: Paul H. King
Discipline Detail
Action: Suspension
Effective Date: 4/25/2002
RPC: 1.15 - (prior to 9/1/2006) Declining or Terminating Representation
1.3 - Diligence
3.3 - Candor Toward the Tribunal
3.5 - (prior to 9/1/2006) Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel
8.4 (c) - Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation
Discipline Notice:
Description: Paul H. King (WSBA No. 7370, admitted 1977), of Seattle was suspended for six months, effective April 25, 2002, by order of the Supreme Court, following a hearing. This discipline is based on his lack of diligence in one matter and misrepresentation in another in 1995.
Matter 1: Mr. King, or his office, accepted responsibility for filing a client’s small claims court notice of appeal. The client’s notice was not timely filed and he lost the right to appeal.
Matter 2: In November 1995, Mr. King contacted the escrow company holding lien funds that had been assigned to his wife, Rita King. The funds were disputed fees from Mr. G, a prior client’s dissolution action. Mr. King asked the escrow agent to release the funds to him even though the escrow instructions indicated the funds had been assigned to Rita King. When the escrow agent refused, Mr. King filed a motion in Mr. G’s divorce action, asking the court to disburse the escrow funds to Mr. King to hold “in trust” for Rita King. Mr. King stated in the motion that he continued to represent Mr. G. Mr. King’s representation of Mr. G ended in 1993 and the client disputed Mr. King’s right to the lien funds. Mr. King did not give notice of his motion to the parties involved in the earlier dissolution. Mr. King also did not disclose to the court that his divorce from Rita King was then pending in Snohomish County Superior Court. Mr. King presented this motion to conceal the existence of these funds from Rita King and the Court presiding over his dissolution.
Mr. King’s conduct violated RPCs 1.3, requiring lawyers to diligently represent their clients; 3.3, prohibiting lawyers from making false statements of fact to the tribunal; 1.15, requiring lawyers to take steps to protect client’s interest, upon withdrawal; 3.5(b), prohibiting ex-parte communication with the tribunal, except as permitted by law; and 8.4(c), prohibiting conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Leslie Allen and Becky Neal represented the Bar Association. Peter Cogan represented Mr. King. Charles T. Conrad was the Hearing Officer.


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