Description: |
William R. Joice (WSBA No. 19944, admitted 1990), of Seattle, resigned in lieu of disbarment, effective February 24, 2006. This resignation was based on his 2005 conviction of first-degree attempted murder.
On November 8, 2005, Mr. Joice was charged in King County Superior Court with the crime of first-degree attempted murder for attempting, with premeditated intent, to cause the death of lawyer Kevin Jung. At the time of the incident, Mr. Jung represented parties in litigation with Mr. Joice’s clients. On December 20, 2005, a jury convicted Mr. Joice of the charged offense.
Mr. Joice’s conduct violated RPC 8.4(b), prohibiting a lawyer from committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; RPC 8.4(d), prohibiting a lawyer from engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; and RPC 8.4(i), prohibiting a lawyer from committing any act involving moral turpitude, or corruption, or any unjustified act of assault or other act which reflects disregard for the rule of law, whether the same be committed in the course of his or her conduct as a lawyer, or otherwise, and whether the same constitutes a felony or misdemeanor or not.
Randy V. Beitel represented the Bar Association. Mr. Joice represented himself. Lewis W. Card was the hearing officer. |