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.
Resigned in Lieu of Discipline
Samuel David Satterfield (WSBA No. 50057, admitted 2015) of Chehalis, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 10/07/2022. Satterfield 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: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees), 3.2 (Expediting Litigation), 5.5 (Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law), 8.1 (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters), 8.4(a) (Attempt, Assists or Induce), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice), 8.4(l) (ELC violation).
Satterfield’s alleged conduct, as stated in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct, related to his representation of a client in a family law matter. Satterfield’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) failing to diligently file motions and schedule hearings; 2) lying to his client about hearings being scheduled, postponed, and canceled and falsely attributing responsibility for the delays to court and/or opposing counsel; 3) billing the client for work that was not actually performed; and 4) lying to ODC during the course of a disciplinary investigation.
Francisco Rodriguez acted as disciplinary counsel. Samuel David Satterfield represented himself. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: Resignation Form of Samuel David Satterfield (ELC 9.3(b)).
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Henry A. Warren (WSBA No. 30360, admitted 2000) of Shelton, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 10/28/2022. Warren 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: 1.4 (Communication), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 8.1 (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters), 8.4(b) (Criminal Act), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice), 8.4(i) (Moral Turpitude, Corruption or Disregard of Rule of Law).
Warren’s alleged conduct, as stated in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct, related to his representation of a client in a family law matter. Warren’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) using and/or converting client funds; 2) knowingly making one or more false statements to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel during a grievance investigation and/or knowingly testifying falsely at his deposition; 3) failing to deposit and hold client funds in a trust account; 4) failing to provide a written accounting to his client upon the client’s request; and 5) failing to respond to his client’s reasonable requests for information about client funds, and/or failing to advise his client about the location of client funds.
Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Henry A. Warren represented himself. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: Resignation Form of Henry A. Warren (ELC 9.3(b)).
Suspended
Victor Rivera-Nieves (WSBA No. 46967, admitted 2013) of Kennewick, was suspended for three years, effective 2/22/2022, by order of the Washington Supreme Court imposing reciprocal discipline in accordance with an order of the Supreme Court of the State of Virginia. For more information, see https://www.vsb.org/disciplinary.html. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Victor Rivera-Nieves Represented himself. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: The Washington Supreme Court Order.
Reprimanded
Timothy James Dack (WSBA No. 18870, admitted 1989) of Vancouver, was reprimanded, effective 9/27/2022, by order of the chief hearing officer. Dack’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property).
In relation to his representation of a client in a civil litigation matter, Dack stipulated to reprimand for: 1) failing to deposit the client’s advance fees into a trust account; and 2) failing to take steps to investigate and challenge the opposing party’s calculation of damages in a timely manner, and by failing to respond to a motion for summary judgment.
Francisco Rodriguez acted as disciplinary counsel. Jeffrey Paul Downer represented respondent. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Order on Stipulation to Reprimand; Stipulation to Reprimand; and Notice of Reprimand.
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Garth Louis Dano (WSBA No. 11226, admitted 1980) of Moses Lake, was reprimanded, effective 10/26/2022, by order of the chief hearing officer. The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice), 8.4(g) (Discriminatory Act), 8.4(h) (Prejudice or Bias).
In relation to his work as the Grant County Prosecutor, representing the state of Washington, Dano stipulated to reprimand for engaging in conduct that was a discriminatory act prohibited by state law, prejudicial to the administration of justice, and that a reasonable person would interpret as manifesting prejudice or bias on the basis of race and national origin.
Erica Temple acted as disciplinary counsel. Stephen Wesley Hayne represented respondent. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Order on Stipulation to Reprimand; Stipulation to Reprimand; and Notice of Reprimand.
Admonished
Anne van Leynseele (WSBA No. 45794, admitted 2013) of Lynnwood, was ordered to receive two admonitions, effective 8/18/2022, by order of the hearing officer. Van Leynseele’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.4 (Communication), 1.9 (Duties to Former Clients), 1.10 (Imputation of Conflicts of Interest: General Rule).
In relation to her representation of a client in a business law matter involving licensing and investing in a cannabis dispensary, Van Leynseele stipulated to two admonitions for: 1) being associated in a firm with Attorney P, when Attorney P represented Company A in an administrative violation matter, without Company B’s informed consent, confirmed in writing, when she formerly represented Company B in a substantially related business transaction with Company A; and 2) failing to communicate to Company B (her client) the risks of entering into an Option Agreement, by communicating inaccurate information to Company B about the Option Agreement, and by failing to respond to emails from Company B.
Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Jeffrey T. Kestle represented respondent. Yukiko Stave was the hearing officer. Sidney Stillerman Royer was the settlement hearing officer. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Order on Stipulation to Two Admonitions; Stipulation to Two Admonitions; and Admonitions.