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
Olga V. Efimova (WSBA No. 52498, admitted 2017) of Seattle, WA, was disbarred, effective 5/14/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Francisco Rodriguez acted as disciplinary counsel. Anne I. Seidel represented respondent.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 3.2 (Expediting Litigation), 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal), 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(l) (Violating a Duty or Sanction Imposed by or under the Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct in Connection with a Disciplinary Matter).
Efimova was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by 1) failing to act with reasonable diligence in filing a client’s immigration application; 2) impersonating another person in communicating with a client, and failing to disclose Efimova’s delays in filing client’s immigration applications; 3) submitting falsified immigration forms to users on behalf of clients and making false statements to users regarding the authenticity of these forms, and submitting falsified immigration forms to users on behalf of multiple clients; 4) making false statements to ODC, submitting falsified evidence to ODC during the course of a disciplinary investigation, and making false statements under oath at a disciplinary deposition; 5) making false statements to several clients, providing them with falsified records, failing to disclose Efimova’s delays in pursuing relief in the clients’ immigration matters, and failing to accurately inform them about the status of their matters and/or related matters; 6) providing multiple clients with falsified emails, failing to disclose Efimova’s delays in pursuing relief on their behalf, and failing to accurately inform them about the status of their matters; 7) making false statements to representatives of the immigration court regarding past filings in the cases of multiple clients that Efimova had not actually made, and by sending falsified records relating to these cases to the court; 8) failing to act with reasonable diligence in representing clients and their children in removal proceedings; 9) failing to keep clients and their children reasonably informed about the status of their immigration matters and failing to explain their matters to the extent reasonably necessary to permit them to make informed decisions regarding the representations; 10) making false statements in the relevant motions, declarations, and other supporting documents, Efimova filed on behalf of clients and their children; and 11) making false statements and sending a falsified federal court order to a client.
Decision documents: Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Disbarment; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Resigned in Lieu of Discipline
Hugo Cornelius Johnson IV (WSBA No. 45342, admitted 2012) of Seattle, WA, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 5/16/2024. 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. Claire Carden acted as disciplinary counsel. Hugo Cornelius Johnson IV represented themselves.
The Statement of Alleged Misconduct reflects the following violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct: 8.4(b) (Criminal Act), 8.4(g) (Discriminatory Act), 8.4(i) (Moral Turpitude, Corruption or Disregard of Rule of Law), 8.4(j) (Violate a Court Order), 8.4(n) (Conduct Demonstrating Unfitness to Practice Law).
Hugo Cornelius Johnson IV’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) committing the crime of attempted hate crime in violation of RCW 9A.28.020 and 9A.36.080(l)(a)-(c); 2) committing assault in the fourth degree – sexual motivation in violation of RCW 9A.36.041 and RCW 9.94A.030(48); 3) committing simple assault in violation of 18 U.S.C. §113(a)(5); 4) willfully violating a court order directing respondent not to consume alcohol.
Decision document: Resignation Form of Hugo Cornelius Johnson IV (ELC 9.3(b)).
Julie A. Vance (WSBA No. 32189, admitted 2002) of Goldendale, WA, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 5/15/2024. 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. Francisco Rodriguez acted as disciplinary counsel. Julie A. Vance represented themselves.
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), 1.6 (Confidentiality of Information), 1.7 (Conflict of Interest: Current Clients), 1.9 (Duties to Former Clients), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice).
Vance’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) failing to provide a client file to the client and successor counsel; 2) assisting Vance’s client in conduct that Vance knew was fraudulent; 3) failing to act with reasonable diligence in a client’s matters; 4) failing to act with reasonable diligence in recording a real estate contract; 5) representing a client in negotiating and drafting a real estate contract despite having a concurrent conflict of interest and without first obtaining the client’s informed consent, confirmed in writing; 6) assisting in the representation of a person in a forfeiture action, a matter substantially related to Vance’s prior representation of a client, without first obtaining the client’s informed consent, confirmed in writing; 7) disclosing confidential information relating to the representation of a client to another person’s lawyer in a forfeiture action, without first obtaining the client’s informed consent.
Decision document: Resignation Form of Julie A. Vance ELC 9.3(b).
Suspended
Gregg Eugene Bradshaw (WSBA No. 21299, admitted 1991) of Puyallup, WA, was suspended for 60 days, effective 4/22/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Marina Busse acted as disciplinary counsel. Gregg Eugene Bradshaw represented themselves. Deborah R. Wechselblatt was the hearing officer. Kenneth B. Gorton was the settlement hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation).
Bradshaw was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by 1) failing to deposit a client’s funds into Bradshaw’s general account before the funds were earned or the costs occurred; 2) failing to refund a client an unearned fee; 3) failing to keep a client informed about the case and failing to provide the client with an invoice or other information about how the client’s fee was earned; 4) using client property for Bradshaw’s use and not holding client funds in a trust account; 5) withdrawing fees without notice to clients before doing so.
Decision documents: Disciplinary Board Order Conditionally Approving Stipulation; ODC’s Consent; Respondent’s Consent; Stipulation to Suspension; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
James Dewitt McBride II (WSBA No. 1603, admitted 1967) of Carnation, WA, was suspended for one year, effective 4/16/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Sachia Stonefeld Powell acted as disciplinary counsel. James Dewitt McBride II represented themselves. Diana Marie Dearmin was the hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.2 (Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between Client and Lawyer), 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 3.1 (Meritorious Claims and Contentions), 3.2 (Expediting Litigation), 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice).
James Dewitt McBride II was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by 1) recording a lis pendens against personal property; 2) failing to abide by a client’s request to release the lis pendens; 3) failing to timely act to release the improper lis pendens; 4) failing to respond to the client’s request for information about the total fees owed.
Decision documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Declining Sua Sponte Review; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Reprimanded
Ryan M. Best (WSBA No. 33672, admitted 2003) of Spokane, WA, was reprimanded, effective 3/18/2024, by order of the chief hearing officer. Erica Temple acted as disciplinary counsel. Joseph W. Kuhlman represented respondent.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice).
Best was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by drafting a client’ s declaration that contained incorrect factual assertions and causing it to be filed with the court.
Decision documents: Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Reprimand; and Notice of Reprimand.
Justin C. Osemene (WSBA No. 28082, admitted 1998) of Mill Creek, WA, was reprimanded, effective 3/12/2024, by order of the chief hearing officer. Chris Chang acted as disciplinary counsel. Anne I. Seidel represented respondent.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 3.5 (Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal).
Osemene stipulated to reprimand for violating the Rules of Professional Conduct by communicating ex parte with three Washington Supreme Court justices regarding a case pending before the Washington Supreme Court.
Decision documents: Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Reprimand; and Notice of Reprimand.
Steven Erik Turner (WSBA No. 33840, admitted 2003) of Vancouver, WA, was reprimanded, effective 3/19/2024, by order of the hearing officer. Briana Gieri acted as disciplinary counsel. Kevin M. Bank represented respondent. Bruce E. Heller was the hearing officer. Yukiko Stave was the settlement hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.4 (Communication), 3.4 (Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel).
Turner stipulated to reprimand for 1) failing to provide certain checks to a party; 2) failing to inform his clients that Turner had not produced the relevant evidence in discovery and/or by failing to adequately explain the relevant evidence’s exclusion from trial; and 3) asking to present excluded evidence during trial.
Decision documents: Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Reprimand; and Notice of Reprimand.
Transfer to Disability Inactive Status
Christina Elaine King (WSBA No. 39431, admitted 2007) of Bellingham, WA, is suspended from the practice of law in the state of Washington pending the outcome of supplemental proceedings, effective 5/22/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. This is not a disciplinary sanction.
Linda Beryl Lee (WSBA No. 10762, admitted 1980) of Lakewood, WA, is suspended from the practice of law in the state of Washington pending the outcome of supplemental proceedings, effective 4/04/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. This is not a disciplinary sanction.