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Mark A. Quigley (WSBA No. 9380, admitted 1979), of Everett, resigned his membership in the Association in lieu of disbarment, effective January 13, 2003. This discipline was based on his assisting the unauthorized practice of law during 1990 through 2002 and misleading the Association during the investigation. Mr. Quigley stipulated that Disciplinary Counsel could prove these facts, without admitting to misconduct.
In 1990, Mr. Quigley formed a business relationship with LA, a Washington corporation (LA). Mr. Quigley referred personal injury clients to LA. LA provided legal services to these clients in exchange for a percentage of the attorney’s contingent fee. LA did not employ any lawyers and Mr. Quigley did not adequately supervise LA’s employees.
In early 1998, Mr. Quigley formed a business relationship with a second Washington corporation (corporation). The corporation agreed to expand Mr. Quigley’s practice in the Russian community and provide legal services to these clients. The corporation did not employ any lawyers and Mr. Quigley did not adequately supervise the corporation’s employees. Mr. Quigley allowed the corporation employees to imply that they were lawyers. Mr. Quigley had no contact with many of the clients. He split his legal fees with the corporation. Between March 1998 and late 2001, Mr. Quigley paid the corporation over $1,250,000.00 for its services to hundreds of clients. During the Bar Association deposition in this matter, Mr. Quigley stated falsely that he had not shared fees with the corporation.
Mr. Quigley’s conduct violated: RPCs 5.3(b), requiring lawyers with direct supervisory authority over non lawyers to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the non lawyer’s conduct conforms to the lawyer’s ethical obligations; 5.4(a), prohibiting lawyers from sharing legal fees with nonlaywers; 5.5(b), prohibiting assisting persons who are not members of the Association in the unauthorized practice of law; 1.4, requiring lawyers to keep their clients informed of the status of their matters; 8.4(c), prohibiting conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; and 8.4 (d), prohibiting conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Kevin Bank represented the Bar Association. Leland Ripley represented Mr. Quigley.
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