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William R. Brendgard (WSBA No. 21254, admitted 1991), of Vancouver, was ordered to receive a reprimand on July 15, 2003, following a stipulation approved by Hearing Officer Carolyn A. Lake. This discipline is based on his conduct in 2002 and 2003 involving lack of diligence and failure to return unearned fees is a dissolution matter.
In late 2001, Mr. Brendgard agreed to represent a client in a marriage dissolution action. Mr. Brendgard did not deposit the client’s advance fee deposit into his trust account. Mr. Brendgard drafted pleadings and told the client he would file the petition in early 2002. In May 2002, the client learned from the court that Mr. Brendgard had not filed her petition. Mr. Brendgard received, but did not answer two certified letters from his client. In July 2003, Mr. Brendgard refunded the client’s fee plus interest and returned her client file.
Mr. Brendgard’s conduct violated RPCs 1.3, requiring lawyers to diligently represent clients; 1.4(a), requiring lawyers to keep clients reasonably informed of the status of their matters; 1.15(d), requiring lawyers to refund unearned advance fee payments upon withdrawal; and 1.14(a), requiring lawyers to deposit client funds into trust accounts.
Anne I. Seidel represented the Bar Association. William R. Brendgard represented himself. Carolyn A. Lake was the Hearing Officer.
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