THESE NOTICES OF THE IMPOSITION OF DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS AND ACTIONS are published pursuant to Rule 3.5(c) of the Washington Supreme Court Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct. Active links to directory listings, RPC definitions, and documents related to the disciplinary matter can be found by viewing the online version of Washington State Bar News at www.wsba.org/news-events/Bar-News or by looking up the respondent in the legal directory on the WSBA website (www.wsba.org) and then scrolling down to “Discipline History.”
As some WSBA members share the same or similar names, please read all disciplinary notices carefully for names, cities, and bar numbers.
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Suspended
Roberto Diaz-Luong (WSBA No. 38477, admitted 2006) of Tacoma, was suspended for two years, effective 3/02/2021, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Diaz-Luong’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal), 3.4 (Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice).
In relation to his employment, subsequent separation from, and litigation with a law firm, Diaz-Luong stipulated to suspension for: 1) failing to promptly return client files and information after being asked to do so by the clients; 2) making false statements to the trial court in his filed declaration, and in offering evidence he knew to be false; 3) destroying, falsifying, and concealing material having potential evidentiary value; and 4) knowingly disobeying the trial court’s preliminary injunction order and/or the court’s contempt orders.
Scott G. Busby and M Craig Bray acted as disciplinary counsel. Todd Maybrown represented Respondent. Douglas Warren Vanscoy was the hearing officer. Andrekita Silva was the settlement hearing officer. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Order Approving Stipulation to Two Year Suspension; Stipulation to Suspension and Probation; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Reprimanded
Howard Joseph Marcus (WSBA No. 12529, admitted 1982) of Edmonds, was reprimanded, effective 2/04/2021, by order of the hearing officer. Marcus’ conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice).
In relation to his law practice focused on representation of landlords in eviction matters, Marcus stipulated to a reprimand for: 1) failing to promptly comply with a court order to return money to the registry of the court; 2) failing to reconcile trust account records; and 3) failing to promptly pay or deliver funds to clients.
Jonathan Burke acted as disciplinary counsel. Anne I. Seidel represented Respondent. Anne Elizabeth Tweedy was the hearing officer. Anthony Angelo Russo was the settlement hearing officer. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Order Approving Stipulation to Reprimand; Stipulation to Reprimand; and Notice of Reprimand.
Notice of Hearing on Petition for Reinstatement of Dean Dinh Nguyen
A petition for reinstatement after disbarment has been filed by Dean Dinh Nguyen (WSBA No. 30148), who was admitted in 2000 and disbarred in 2012. The April 9, 2021 hearing on Nguyen’s petition before the Character and Fitness Board has been rescheduled to take place on June 4, 2021. Anyone wishing to do so may file with the Character and Fitness Board a written statement for or against reinstatement, setting forth factual matters showing that the petition does or does not meet the requirements of Washington State Supreme Court Admission and Practice Rule (APR) 25.5(a). Except by the Character and Fitness Board’s leave, no person other than the petitioner or petitioner’s counsel shall be heard orally by the Board.
Communications to the Character and Fitness Board should be sent to Renata Garcia, Counsel to the Character and Fitness Board, Washington State Bar Association, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539, or to renatag@wsba.org. This notice is published pursuant to APR 25.4(a).