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Reginald Johnson (WSBA No. 26726, admitted 1997), of Tacoma, received a reprimand on September 13, 2002, based on a stipulation approved by the Disciplinary Board. This discipline is based on his failure to diligently represent and reasonably communicate with a client in 2000.
From early 2000 until 2002, a landlord services company retained Mr. Johnson to provide eviction services to its clients. The company collected the fees, maintained the files and assigned Mr. Johnson to attend hearings. In January 2000, Mr. Johnson substituted into an unlawful detainer action. In February 2000, the tenant filed an answer with counterclaims against the landlord client. Mr. Johnson did not notify his clients of the answer or explain that the client needed to file an answer to the counterclaims. The tenant’s lawyer served a motion for default on Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson was not certain he received this motion. Mr. Johnson did not attend the hearing and the court entered an order of default against his client. In May, the court dismissed the client’s unlawful detainer action and granted the tenant a $5,244 judgment. The client retained new counsel who requested that Mr. Johnson provide a copy of the client file. Mr. Johnson indicated that the client file was lost. The client’s new counsel filed a motion to vacate the default judgment, but the court denied the motion.
Mr. Johnson’s conduct violated RPCs 1.3, requiring lawyers to diligently represent their clients; and RPC 1.4, requiring lawyers to promptly comply with clients requests for information and to explain matters to the extent necessary for clients to make informed decisions about their matters.
Jonathan Burke represented the Bar Association. Mr. Johnson represented himself.
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