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
Andra Ruth Blondin (WSBA No. 28268, admitted 1998) of Longview, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 4/24/2023. Blondin agrees that she 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: 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 8.4(b) (Criminal Act), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), 8.4(i) (Moral Turpitude, Corruption or Disregard of Rule of Law), 8.4(l) (ELC violation).
Blondin’s alleged conduct, as stated in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct, related to her legal practice in family law, and representation of a client in a custody dispute matter. Blondin’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) withholding funds from one or more of Blondin’s employee’s paychecks and failing to pay the funds to the IRS; 2) failing to promptly respond to ODC’s inquiries and requests and/or by failing to respond to an investigatory subpoena and/or by failing to file an affidavit with ODC showing full compliance with the provisions of Title 14; 3) failing to provide documents when requested by ODC; and 4) failing to provide client’s file to the client.
Francesca D’Angelo acted as disciplinary counsel. John Cornelius Versnel represented respondent. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: Resignation Form of Andra Ruth Blondin (ELC 9.3(b)).
Frank Shigaihisa Homsher (WSBA No. 26935, admitted 1997) of Edmonds, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 5/01/2023. Homsher 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: 1.2 (Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between Client and Lawyer), 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 3.2 (Expediting Litigation), 3.4 (Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel), 5.3 (Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice).
Homsher’s alleged conduct, as stated in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct, related to his representation of client A in a property dispute matter, and client B in a vulnerable adult protection order and guardianship matter. Homsher’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) failing to timely communicate with client A regarding the status of the property damages matter, failing to advise client A about the dismissal agreements and dismissal orders, and providing false information to client A about the work performed by Homsher in the matter; 2) misrepresenting to opposing counsel that client A agreed to the stipulated dismissal orders; 3) agreeing to dismiss client A’s claims without consulting with client A, and against client A’s decision to continue pursuing the claims; 4) failing to respond to opposing counsel’s discovery requests, and by failing to make reasonable efforts to serve an opposing party; 5) failing to inform client A about the deadline to respond to the opposing party’s discovery requests regarding a nuisance claim; 6) failing to respond promptly to the opposing party’s settlement offer and failing to communicate the settlement offer to client A; 7) failing to supervise Homsher’s paralegal, to ensure that the discovery responses in client A’s matter were handled in a timely manner; 8) offering client A a refund contingent upon the withdrawal of the grievance against Homsher and by making other statements to discourage client A from filing a grievance; 9) failing to appear for hearings in client B’s matters; and 10) failing to withdraw from client B’s guardianship matter.
Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Frank Shigaihisa Homsher represented himself. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: Resignation Form of Frank Shigaihisa Homsher (ELC 9.3(b)).
Disbarred
Robin Lynn Haynes (WSBA No. 38116, admitted 2006) of Post Falls, ID, was disbarred, effective 5/12/2023, by order of the Washington Supreme Court imposing reciprocal discipline in accordance with an order of the Supreme Court of the State of Idaho. For more information, see https://isb.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/Robin-L.-Haynes-
Disciplinary-Notice-1.pdf. Paul R. Taylor acted as special disciplinary counsel. Jeffrey T. Kestle represented respondent. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: The Washington Supreme Court Order.
Reprimanded
Tuella O. Sykes (WSBA No. 36179, admitted 2005) of Seattle, was reprimanded, effective 3/29/2023, by order of the Hearing Officer. Sykes’ conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.1 (Competence), 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 3.1 (Meritorious Claims and Contentions), 5.3 (Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants).
In relation to her representation of client A and client B in two separate bankruptcy matters, Sykes stipulated to two reprimands for: 1) failing to file client A’s bankruptcy petition for 26 months; 2) failing to adequately supervise Sykes’ paralegal’s work on client A’s case to ensure that there was sufficient communication and that the matter moved forward; 3) failing to communicate with client A and respond to client A’s reasonable requests for information; 4) failing to provide client B with competent representation, including the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation; and 5) bringing a proceeding against an opposing party, and/or asserting an issue therein, without “a basis in law and fact for doing so that is not frivolous, which includes a good faith argument for an extension, modification or reversal of existing law.”
Sachia Stonefeld Powell 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 Two Reprimands; Notice of Reprimand.
Transfer to Disability Inactive Status
John Franklin Sherwood (WSBA No. 2948, admitted 1962) of Bellevue, was transferred to disability inactive status, effective 2/17/2023. A hearing officer recommended, and the Disciplinary Board ordered, that Sherwood be transferred to disability inactive status following a hearing. This is not a disciplinary action.