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Calvin P. Vance (WSBA No. 29520, admitted 1999), of Spokane, was ordered to receive a reprimand by the Washington State Supreme Court imposing reciprocal discipline in accordance with an order of the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon following approval of a no contest plea. This discipline was based on his conduct involving the collection of excessive fees, failure to promptly refund unearned fees, and failure to deposit client funds into a trust account. For more information, see Oregon State Bar Bulletin, Discipline (June 2006), available at www.osbar.org/-publications/bulletin/06jun/discipline.html.
Mr. Vance’s conduct violated Oregon DR 2-106(A), prohibiting a lawyer from entering into an agreement for, charging, or collecting an illegal or clearly excessive fee; DR 2-110(A)(3), requiring a lawyer who withdraws from employment to refund promptly any part of a fee paid in advance that has not been earned; and DR 9-101(A), requiring that all funds of clients paid to a lawyer or law firm, including advances for costs and expenses, and escrow and other funds held by a lawyer or law firm for another in the course of work as lawyers, are deposited and maintained in one or more identifiable trust accounts in the state in which the law office is situated.
Linda B. Eide represented the Bar Association. Mr. Vance represented himself. |