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 at the links below 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.
Find prior Discipline & Other Regulatory Notices here.
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Resigned in Lieu of Discipline
Robert S. McKay (WSBA No. 19667, admitted 1990) of Langley, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 3/22/2022. McKay agrees that he is aware of the alleged misconduct in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct and rather than defend against the allegations, wishes to permanently resign from membership in the Association. The Statement of Alleged Misconduct reflects the following violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.6 (Confidentiality of Information), 1.7 (Conflict of Interest: Current Clients), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), 8.4(i) (Moral Turpitude, Corruption or Disregard of Rule of Law).
McKay’s alleged misconduct, as stated in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct, related to his representation of a client in a criminal matter, and subsequent relationship and interactions with the mother of the alleged victim (A) in that matter. McKay’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) disclosing confidential client files to A; 2) representing A’s husband without obtaining informed consent regarding the potential conflict of interest based on McKay’s relationship with A; 3) making misleading statements to the prosecutor in A’s husband’s case; and 4) threatening to publish explicit images of A on the internet.
Francisco Rodriguez acted as disciplinary counsel. Kurt M. Bulmer represented respondent. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: Resignation Form of Robert S. McKay (ELC 9.3(b)).
Suspended
Matthew Erik Johnson (WSBA No. 43808, admitted 2011) of Marysville, was suspended for 24 months, effective 3/25/2022, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Johnson’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.1 (Competence), 1.3 (Diligence), 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal), 7.1 (Communications Concerning a Lawyer’s Services).
In relation to his practice in bankruptcy law, Johnson stipulated to suspension for: 1) failing to provide competent representation to clients in multiple bankruptcy matters; 2) failing to diligently represent clients in multiple bankruptcy matters; 3) failing to promptly disclose a false statement in a Certificate of Service to the court after coming to know of its falsity; and 4) omitting the required bankruptcy relief disclosures from his website.
Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Kevin M. Bank represented respondent. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Disciplinary Board Order Conditionally Approving Stipulation; Joint Consent Under ELC 9.1(e)(2); Stipulation to Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Admonished
Gerald John Moberg (WSBA No. 5282, admitted 1973) of Ephrata, was ordered to receive an admonition, effective 3/14/2022, by order of the chief hearing officer. Mobergs’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice).
In relation to his involvement in the 2014 Grant County Prosecutor election, Moberg stipulated to an admonition for failing to disclose his role as the source of payment for a campaign mailer when testifying under oath during a Public Disclosure Commission investigation.
Joanne S. Abelson acted as disciplinary counsel. Jeffrey T. Kestle represented respondent. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Admonition; and Admonition.
Interim Suspension
Dale Ray Cook (WSBA No. 31634, admitted 2001) of Tacoma, is suspended from the practice of law in the state of Washington pending the outcome of supplemental proceedings, effective 3/18/2022, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. This is not a disciplinary sanction.
Dominique Louise Eng Jinhong (WSBA No. 28293, admitted 1998) of Tacoma, is suspended from the practice of law in the state of Washington pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings, effective 3/11/2022, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. This is not a disciplinary sanction.
John Franklin Sherwood (WSBA No. 2948, admitted 1962) of Bellevue, is suspended from the practice of law in the state of Washington pending the outcome of supplemental proceedings, effective 4/07/2022, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. This is not a disciplinary sanction.