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Douglas S. Snyder (WSBA No. 23762, admitted 1994), of Portland, Oregon, was suspended for one year, based on a suspension order from the Oregon Supreme Court. The Washington Supreme Court’s order of reciprocal discipline was effective January 27, 2003. This discipline was based on his lack of diligence in a client matter and failure to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation in 2000.
Mr. Snyder represented the husband in a marriage dissolution action. In February 2000, the parties reached an agreement during a court hearing and the judge ordered Mr. Snyder to prepare the agreed final pleadings. Mr. Snyder did not prepare the pleadings. In October 2000, the court notified Mr. Snyder that the dissolution would be dismissed if no further action was taken. Mr. Snyder failed to take action and the case was dismissed. Mr. Snyder failed to cooperate with the Oregon disciplinary investigation of this matter.
Mr. Snyder’s conduct violated DR 1-102(a)(4), prohibiting conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice; DR 6-101(A), requiring lawyers to provide competent representation to a client; DR 6-101(B), prohibiting lawyers from neglecting legal matters entrusted to them; and DR 1-103(C), requiring a lawyer who is the subject of a disciplinary investigation to respond fully and truthfully to inquiries from and comply with reasonable requests of a tribunal or other authority empowered to investigate or act upon the conduct of lawyers, subject only to the exercise of any applicable right or privilege.
Felice Congalton represented the Bar Association. Mr. Snyder represented himself.
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