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 Discipline Notice Directory at https://mywsba.org/PersonifyEbusiness/DisciplineNoticeDirectory.
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.
Suspended
Colleen A. Hartl (WSBA No. 18051, admitted 1988) of North Bend, was suspended for two years, effective 12/13/2023, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Hartl’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 3.1 (Meritorious Claims and Contentions), 3.2 (Expediting Litigation), 3.4 (Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin. of Justice).
In relation to her representation of a client in a family law matter, Hartl stipulated to suspension for: 1) asserting objections to discovery requests that had no basis in law or fact; 2) failing to produce information responsive to discovery requests; 3) failing to timely communicate with her client regarding discovery requests and a first motion to compel, failing to advise her client about a second motion to compel and related hearing, and failing to inform her client of Hartl’s termination from her law firm employment; 4) failing to timely respond to discovery requests, and failing to respond to motions to compel; and 5) failing to give her client reasonable notice of Hartl’s termination from her law firm employment, and failing to inform others at her law firm about the hearing on the second motion to compel.
Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Colleen A. Hartl represented herself. Carl Joseph Oreskovich was the hearing officer. Seth A. Fine was the settlement hearing officer. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Disciplinary Board Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
James T. Hendry (WSBA No. 37411, admitted 2006) of Everett, was suspended for 30 days, effective 10/06/2023, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Hendry’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 3.2 (Expediting Litigation).
In relation to his representation of a client in a family law matter, Hendry stipulated to suspension for: 1) failing to reasonably communicate with his client regarding the status and/or dismissal of the case; 2) failing to take reasonable action to have pleadings served and failing to diligently represent his client; 3) failing to deposit and hold his client’s advanced fees in an IOLTA account until earned and invoiced; and 4) failing to promptly refund unearned fees.
Nate Blanchard and Erica Temple acted as disciplinary counsel. James T. Hendry represented himself. Yukiko Stave was the hearing officer. Kenneth B. Gorton was the settlement hearing officer. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Disciplinary Board Order Conditionally Approving Stipulation; Respondent and ODC’s Consent Under ELC 9.1(e); Stipulation to 30 Day Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Julie A. Vance (WSBA No. 32189, admitted 2002) of Goldendale, was suspended for six months, effective 12/12/2023, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Vance’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 3.1 (Meritorious Claims and Contentions), 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice).
In relation to her representation of client A in a litigation matter, and client B in a probate petition, Vance stipulated to suspension for: 1) filing a frivolous third amended complaint on behalf of client A, pursuing a frivolous appeal on behalf of client A, and violating court rules and accepted practice norms in prosecuting the appeal; 2) filing a probate petition on behalf of client B which contained false statements, and then failing to correct the false statements upon learning of their falsity.
Francisco Rodriguez acted as disciplinary counsel. Julie A. Vance represented herself. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains links to the following documents: Disciplinary Board Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Reprimanded
Christopher Michael Hoxie (WSBA No. 46293, admitted 2013) of Kennewick, was reprimanded, effective 10/12/2023, by order of the chief hearing officer. Hoxie’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation).
In relation to his representation of clients in a litigation matter, Hoxie stipulated to reprimand for: 1) failing to provide reasonable warning to the clients before withdrawing from the case; 2) failing to take reasonable practical steps to protect the clients’ interests before withdrawing from the case; 3) withdrawing the same day that the clients signed the fee agreement and were applying for a loan to satisfy Hoxie’s fee demands, and failing to clarify the terms of withdrawal and the conditions of their attorney-client relationship, thus misleading the clients; 4) failing to provide the clients with a reasonable and fair disclosure of material elements of the fee agreement and Hoxie’s billing practices; and 5) failing to consult with the clients prior to withdrawing to keep them reasonably informed and explain the implications of the withdrawal so that the clients could make informed decisions regarding the representation.
Fabio Ambrosio and John Graffe acted as special disciplinary counsel. Kenneth Scott Kagan represented respondent. 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.
Nicholas J. Slinde (WSBA No. 35316, admitted 2004) of Portland, OR, was reprimanded, effective 11/08/2023, 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=003900&s=1. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. David J. Elkanich represented respondent. The online version of Washington State Bar News contains a link to the following document: The Washington Supreme Court Order.