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
Geoffrey Colburn Cross (WSBA No. 3089, admitted 1968) of Tacoma, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 1/13/2023. Cross 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).
Cross’s alleged conduct, as stated in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct, related to his handling of an alleged client’s civil matter against a funeral home. Cross’s alleged misconduct includes failing to inform the clients of a settlement offer.
Nate Blanchard acted as disciplinary counsel. Geoffrey Colburn Cross represented himself. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: Resignation Form of Geoffrey Colburn Cross.
Kabbie Konteh (WSBA No. 41154, admitted 2009) of Renton, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 12/28/2022. Konteh 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 because of his health. The Statement of Alleged Misconduct reflects the following violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 5.3 (Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants).
Konteh’s alleged conduct, as stated in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct, related to his handling of multiple clients’ immigration matters. Konteh’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) failing to supervise nonlawyer assistants under Konteh’s managerial authority and supervision; 2) failing to diligently represent multiple clients in their immigration matters; 3) failing to communicate with multiple clients about the status of their immigration matters; 4) failing to refund fees to clients A and B; and 5) failing to deposit advance fees into a trust account.
Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Anne I. Seidel represented respondent. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: Resignation Form of Kabbie Konteh (ELC 9.3(b)).
Suspended
Aaron Lee Lowe (WSBA No. 15120, admitted 1985) of Spokane, was suspended for 3 years, effective 12/23/2022, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Lowe’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation).
In relation to his handling of legal matters for Client A in a personal injury case, and Client B in a property damage case, the hearing officer recommended, and the Supreme Court ordered, that Lowe be suspended following a hearing. Lowe was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by: 1) failing to timely respond to the opposing party’s requests for information, failing to timely respond to his client’s insurer’s requests for information, and failing to pursue Client A’s claim with his insurer; 2) failing to promptly comply with Client A’s reasonable requests for information, failing to keep Client A informed of the status of the matter, and failing to inform Client A of his insurer’s requests for information; 3) falsely stating to Client A that his insurer did not respond to Lowe’s phone calls; 4) failing to make arrangements for soil testing, failing to file a claim with the city, and otherwise failing to pursue Client B’s case; 5) failing to communicate with Client B regarding the status of the case; 6) employing a fee agreement that failed to clearly explain the basis or rate of the fee Lowe was charging, and how the fee Client B paid would be applied; and 7) failing to return unearned fees upon being terminated by Client B, thereby charging an unreasonable fee.
Sachia Stonefeld Powell acted as disciplinary counsel. Aaron Lee Lowe represented himself. Bruce E. Heller was the hearing officer. William J. Carlson was the settlement hearing officer. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Declining Sua Sponte Review; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Amelia Ostholthoff (WSBA No. 51434, admitted 2016) of Portland, OR, was suspended for five months, effective 12/23/2022, by order of the Washington Supreme Court imposing reciprocal discipline in accordance with an order of the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon. For more information, see https://www.osbar.org/members/membersearch_display.asp?b=114842&s=1. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Amelia Ostholthoff represented herself. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: The Washington Supreme Court Order.