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Steven L. Cobb (WSBA No. 21926, admitted 1992), of Edmonds, was disbarred effective March 10, 2003, by order of the Supreme Court approving a stipulation. This discipline was based on his conduct during 1996 through 2002 involving lack of diligence and misrepresentation in three real estate matters.
Matter 1: In February 1997, Mr. Cobb agreed to represent two brothers in a real estate dispute. Mr. Cobb told the clients that he had filed the complaint in August 2000, that opposing counsel had accepted service and that the trial date was set for January 2001. None of these statements were true. Mr. Cobb completed the complaint in March 2001 and the client filed it with the court. The case was set for trial in October 2001. Mr. Cobb failed to appear for the readiness hearing or file pre-trial witness and exhibit lists. On October 23, 2001, Mr. Cobb filed a notice of withdrawal and requested that the court continue the trial date. The court directed Mr. Cobb to show cause why he should not be sanctioned. Mr. Cobb failed to appear for the show cause hearing and the court imposed sanctions of $6,013. Mr. Cobb also failed to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation in this matter.
Matter 2: In February 1996, Mr. Cobb agreed to represent clients whose property had been damaged in a landslide. The clients obtained a $124,000 damage appraisal and wanted to rescind their purchase. During the next four or five years, Mr. Cobb told the clients that he had filed a complaint, was conducting discovery and that a trial date was set. None of this was true. The clients’ filed a lawsuit against Mr. Cobb and obtained a $156,893 judgment against him. At the time of the hearing, the judgment had not been satisfied. Mr. Cobb failed to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation of this matter.
Matter 3: In 1998, Mr. Cobb agreed to represent a client in a real estate dispute. Over the next few years, Mr. Cobb told the client that the opposing party was delaying the matter, when, in reality, Mr. Cobb had not taken any action. In September 2001, Mr. Cobb told the client that he had obtained a default judgment. In fact, Mr. Cobb had not filed the complaint or obtained a judgment. Mr. Cobb provided the client with pleadings that included a non-existent cause number and a forged signature of a judge or commissioner.
Mr. Cobb’s conduct violated: RPCs 1.3 and 3.2, requiring lawyers to diligently represent clients and expedite clients’ litigation; 1.4, requiring lawyers to keep clients reasonably informed of the status of their matters; 8.4(c), prohibiting conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; and RLD 1.1(a), prohibiting acts involving disregard for the rule of law.
Linda Eide represented the Bar Association. Mr. Cobb represented himself.
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