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Simon Stocker (WSBA No. 28748, admitted 1999), of Brush Prairie, was suspended for six months, effective June 28, 2004, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court following a stipulation. The September 10, 2004 order was retroactive to the date Mr. Stocker was suspended on an interim basis under ELC 7.1. This discipline was based on his commission of two assaults.
In 2004, Mr. Stocker engaged in a verbal altercation with two men outside of a nightclub in Seattle. Mr. Stocker punched both men, causing each of them to fall to the ground. According to witnesses, Mr. Stocker then struck one of the men again while the man was lying on the ground. Mr. Stocker's actions resulted in physical injuries to both men. As Mr. Stocker attempted to leave the scene, he was stopped by two police officers. According to the officers, Mr. Stocker appeared highly intoxicated, and he attempted to use his position as a city attorney to dissuade the officers from arresting him.
Mr. Stocker was charged with and pleaded guilty to the felony crime of assault in the third degree and the misdemeanor crime of assault in the fourth degree.
Mr. Stocker's conduct violated RPC 8.4(i), which prohibits a lawyer from committing any act of unjustified assault, whether committed in the course of his or her conduct as a lawyer or otherwise, and whether or not the act constitutes a felony or a misdemeanor.
Leslie Ching Allen represented the Bar Association. Mr. Stocker represented himself. |