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Gurjit S. Pandher (WSBA No. 28242, admitted 1998), of Everett, was suspended for 60 days, effective May 14, 2008, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court following approval of a stipulation. This discipline is based on conduct involving submitting forged documents to an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) counselor in violation of his probation.
In May 2005, Mr. Pandher was charged in Snohomish County District Court with driving under the influence. Mr. Pandher pleaded guilty to the charge in November 2005 and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, a fine, and probation with conditions, including a requirement that he be given drug/alcohol evaluation and that he follow the recommended course of action. After evaluation, Mr. Pandher was required to continue substance-abuse counseling and attend two AA meetings per week while on the program. Mr. Pandher was required to provide his substance-abuse counselor proof of his attendance at the AA meetings.
In March 2006, Mr. Pandher gave his counselor AA attendance slips, some of which appeared to have forged signatures. The counselor questioned Mr. Pandher about the dubious signatures, and he admitted to her that they were not genuine and that he had not attended the AA meetings corresponding to the questioned signatures. The counselor terminated Mr. Pandher from the program and reported the matter to the probation department. Mr. Pandher sought treatment at another facility.
In May 2006, Mr. Pandher appeared in court and admitted that he forged some of the signatures on his AA attendance slips. Mr. Pandher told the court that he had missed some of the AA meetings because he had been trying to start up his own business and spent most weekends traveling to California, where his wife was finishing work on a graduate degree. The judge told Mr. Pandher that his conduct could impact his license to practice law. He placed Mr. Pandher on active probation and ordered him to stay in treatment. The prosecuting attorney informed the Association about Mr. Pandher’s conduct, but did not charge him in connection with the forged AA slips. Mr. Pandher successfully completed his treatment program.
Mr. Pandher’s conduct violated RPC 8.4(c), prohibiting an attorney from engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Natalea Skvir represented the Bar Association. Mr. Pandher represented himself. |