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Terry Deglow (WSBA No. 13357, admitted 1983), of Spokane, was disbarred, following a default hearing, by order of the Supreme Court, effective September 9, 2002. This discipline is based on his failure to protect client funds, failure to diligently represent a client, failure to protect the client’s interest upon withdrawal, failure to notify the client when his license was suspended and committing a criminal act from 1995 through 2000.
Matter 1: In 1994, Mr. Deglow agreed to represent a client in the probate of the client’s brother’s estate. Mr. Deglow did not fully explain his fees or prepare a written fee agreement. The client surrendered a $5,000 life insurance policy to Mr. Deglow to pay the estate’s debts. Mr. Deglow did not work on the estate from April 1995 through 2000. On July 10, 2000, Mr. Deglow’s license to practice law was suspended. On July 14, 2000, Mr. Deglow told the client that he had paid the estate’s back due child support and that he was closing his practice. He did not tell the client about his license suspension. Mr. Deglow reimbursed the client for $1,600.00 in burial expenses. At this time, Mr. Deglow’s trust account did not contain enough funds to cover the remainder of the insurance policy proceeds. Later in July 2000, the client retained another lawyer to close the estate. Mr. Deglow did not sign the substitution of counsel pleading or forward the remaining estate funds. Mr. Deglow failed to cooperate with disciplinary counsel’s investigation of this matter.
Mr. Deglow’s conduct violated RPCs 1.3, requiring lawyers to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing clients; 1.4, requiring lawyers to keep clients reasonably informed about the status of matters and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; 1.15(d), requiring lawyers to take reasonable steps to protect clients’ interests upon withdrawal; 1.14(b)(3), requiring lawyers to maintain complete records of client trust funds; 8.4(b) prohibiting committing criminal acts that reflect adversely on a lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; and RLD 8.1(a), requiring lawyers to notify their clients when their license to practice law is suspended.
Sachia Stonefeld Powell represented the Bar Association. Mr. Deglow represented himself. Dennis W. Morgan was the Hearing Officer.
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