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.
Disbarred
Faiyaz A. Dean (WSBA No. 34322, admitted 2003) of Vancouver, British Columbia, was disbarred, effective 3/07/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court imposing reciprocal discipline in accordance with the Discipline Committee of the Law Society of British Columbia. For more information, see www.lawsociety.bc.ca/about-us/news-and-publications/news/2023/vancouver-lawyer-faiyaz-a-dean-barred-from-practi/#:~:text=December%2001%2C%202023-,Vancouver%20lawyer%20Faiyaz%20A.,the%20misconduct%20in%20this%20matter. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Faiyaz A. Dean represented themselves.
Decision document: Washington Supreme Court Order.
Glenn E. Von Tersch (WSBA No. 29154, admitted 1999) of San Diego, CA, was disbarred, effective 3/07/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court imposing reciprocal discipline in accordance with an order of an administrative law judge with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). For more information, see https://foiadocuments.uspto.gov/oed/Von-Tersch-Initial-Decision-on-Default-Judgment-10312023-FINAL-Redacted.pdf. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Glenn E. Von Tersch represented themselves.
Decision document: Washington Supreme Court Order.
John O’Neill Green (WSBA No. 33827, admitted 2003) of Liberty Lake, WA, was disbarred, effective 3/07/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Nate Blanchard acted as disciplinary counsel. John O’Neill Green represented themselves. James D. Hicks was the hearing officer. Henry E. Stiles II was the settlement hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 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).
Green was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by committing the crime of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States.
Decision documents: Disciplinary Board Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Disbarment; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Robert Jess Taylor-Manning (WSBA No. 21890, admitted 1992) of Richland, WA, was disbarred, effective 2/19/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Chris Chang acted as disciplinary counsel. Robert Jess Taylor-Manning represented themselves. Seth A. Fine was the hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 8.1 (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), 8.4(l) (Violating a Duty or Sanction Imposed by or under the Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct in Connection with a Disciplinary Matter.)
Taylor-Manning was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by 1) failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness during the representation of clients; 2) failing to keep clients reasonably informed about the status of their matter, and/or failing to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; 3) collecting an unreasonable fee from clients; 4) removing the advanced fees from trust prior to earning them and/or failing to provide reasonable notice to a client prior to removal; 5) failing to refund the portion of clients’ unearned advance fee deposit after the clients terminated Taylor-Manning’s services; 6) making a false statement in a deposition taken in a disciplinary investigation, 7) failing to promptly provide a response to disciplinary counsel’s requests for a response to the grievance; 8) failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness during the representation of clients.
Decision documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Declining Sua Sponte Review and Adopting Hearing Officer’s Decision; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Resigned in Lieu of Discipline
Nicholas George (WSBA No. 20490, admitted 1991) of Walla Walla, WA, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 3/15/2024. The lawyer agrees that they are aware of the alleged misconduct in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct and rather than defend against the allegations, they wish to permanently resign from membership in the Association. Sachia Stonefeld Powell acted as disciplinary counsel. Peter E. Sutherland represented respondent.
The Statement of Alleged Misconduct reflects the following violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.7 (Conflict of Interest: Current Clients), 1.8 (Conflict of Interest: Current Clients: Specific Rules), 1.9 (Duties to Former Clients), 4.4 (Respect for Rights of Third Person), 8.4(d) and (h) (Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice), 8.4(k) (Violating their Oath as an Attorney), and 8.4(n) (Engaging in Conduct Demonstrating Unfitness to Practice Law).
George’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) representing a crime victim and the person charged with the crime; 2) seeking to use information relating to the representation of a crime victim to that person’s disadvantage without their consent; 3) representing opposing parties in a criminal case and intending to use information relating to the representation of a party to that party’s disadvantage; 4) making highly offensive statements to and about several parties, including clients; 5) engaging in a conflict of interest in the representation of a client.
Decision documents: Resignation Form of Nicholas George (ELC 9.3(b)).
Suspended
Matthew W. Butler (WSBA No. 27993, admitted 1998) of Seattle, WA, was suspended for three years, effective 3/07/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Francisco Rodriguez acted as disciplinary counsel. Leland G. Ripley represented respondent. Scott M. Ellerby was the hearing officer. Eric T. Krening was the settlement hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.1 (Competence), 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 3.4 (Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel), 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), 8.4(j) (Violate a Court Order), 8.4(l) (Violate a Duty or Sanction).
Butler was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by: 1) causing a complaint that named the wrong defendant to be filed, and failing to respond to the motion to dismiss or appear at the hearing on that motion; 2) failing to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of the legal matter; 3) failing to appear for a supplemental examination after being served with the order to appear; 4) making false statements about the legal representation of a client; 5) failing to respond promptly to disciplinary counsel’s written requests for a response to the grievance; 6) testifying falsely under oath at the disciplinary depositions; and 8) committing the crimes of violation of a domestic violence court order and resisting arrest.
Decision documents: Disciplinary Board Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
F. Dana Kelley (WSBA No. 17460, admitted 1987) of Spokane, WA, was suspended for 30 days, effective 3/22/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Francisco Rodriguez acted as disciplinary counsel. Joshua Maurer represented respondent.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence).
Kelley was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by failing to exercise reasonable diligence in preparing a case for trial and during the trial itself.
Decision documents: Disciplinary Board Order Approving Stipulation; ODC’s Consent; Consent of Dana Kelley; Stipulation to Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Reprimanded
Renee Elizabeth Rothauge (WSBA No. 20661, admitted 1991) of Portland, OR, was reprimanded, effective 2/28/2024, 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 www.osbar.org/members/membersearch_display.asp?b=903712&s=1. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. David J. Elkanich represented respondent.
Decision document: Washington Supreme Court Order.
Adam Michael Starr (WSBA No. 45762, admitted 2013) of Portland, OR, was reprimanded, effective 2/26/2024, 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=125393&s=1. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. David J. Elkanich represented respondent.
Decision document: Washington Supreme Court Order.
Lavette Nadine Holman (WSBA No. 41588, admitted 2009) of Granger, WA, was reprimanded, effective 3/13/2024, by order of the chief hearing officer. Kathy Jo Blake acted as disciplinary counsel. Leland G. Ripley represented respondent.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 8.4 (Misconduct).
Holman was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by committing the crime of Felony Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicated Liquor and/or Drugs.
Decision documents: Order Approving Stipulation to Reprimand; Stipulation to Reprimand; and Notice of Reprimand.
Transfer to Disability Inactive Status
Ralph David Pittle (WSBA No. 1194, admitted 1971) of Seattle, WA, was by stipulation transferred to disability inactive status, effective 3/07/2024. This is not a disciplinary action.
Allison Micheli Wainwright (WSBA No. 38638, admitted 2007) of Puyallup, WA, was by stipulation transferred to disability inactive status, effective 3/07/2024. This is not a disciplinary action.