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Alexander J. Higgins (WSBA No. 20868, admitted 1991), of Seattle, was suspended for two years, effective February 15, 2006, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court following a stipulation approved by the Disciplinary Board. This discipline was based on his conduct in 2002 and 2003 involving the deposit of funds belonging to his law firm into his personal bank account.
Mr. Higgins was a partner in a Seattle law firm. On 16 occasions during 2002 and 2003 Mr. Higgins received payments directly from clients for work he had performed as a firm lawyer. Instead of routing the checks into one of the firm's bank accounts, Mr. Higgins deposited the funds into a personal, individual checking account. The total amount of fees belonging to the firm that Mr. Higgins retained for himself was $4,937. In late 2003, by happenstance, a member of the firm learned about the conduct with respect to funds paid by a particular client. Mr. Higgins cooperated with the firm's ensuing investigation of the matter. The firm later accepted Mr. Higgins's resignation, effective December 31, 2003. Mr. Higgins and the firm agreed on the total amount owed and also agreed to deduct that amount from Mr. Higgins's profit share, which was adequate to cover the loss.
Mr. Higgins's conduct violated RPC 8.4(c), prohibiting lawyers from engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Eugene I. Annis represented the Bar Association. Kurt M. Bulmer represented Mr. Higgins. |