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
Michael Graham (WSBA No. 37391, admitted 2006) of Seattle, was disbarred, effective 5/30/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Erica Temple acted as disciplinary counsel. Leland G. Ripley represented the respondent. Deborah Wechselblatt was the hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.4 (Communication), 8.1 (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters), 8.4(b) (Criminal Act), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), and 8.4(l) (Misconduct).
Graham was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by 1) converting settlement funds for respondent’s own use without entitlement to the funds; 2) failing to promptly notify the relevant parties about receipt of the settlement funds; 3) failing to provide a written accounting after distributing the settlement funds from trust; 4) failing to promptly pay or deliver settlement funds to a party that they were entitled to receive; 5) making false statements about the status of the settlement funds and disbursal; 6) failing to respond to requests for a response to a grievance, failing to appear for deposition, and/or failing to produce documents in response to a subpoena; 7) converting funds for respondent’s own use without entitlement to the funds; 8) failing to deposit warrants to a client into a trust account; 9) failing to promptly pay or deliver funds to a client; 10) failing to respond to ODC’s requests for a response to a grievance.
Decision documents: Disciplinary Board Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Disbarment; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Resigned in Lieu of Discipline
Ralph Howard Palumbo (WSBA No. 4751, admitted 1972) of Wolcott, CO, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 7/17/2024. 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. Francesca D’Angelo acted as disciplinary counsel. Bradley S. Keller represented respondent.
The Statement of Alleged Misconduct reflects the following violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct: 3.4(b) (prohibiting a lawyer from falsifying evidence, counseling, or assisting a witness to testify falsely or offering an inducement to a witness that is prohibited by law), 8.4(d) (prohibiting a lawyer from engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice).
Palumbo’s alleged conduct, as stated in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct, included offering an inducement to a witness that is prohibited by law.
Decision document: Resignation Form of Ralph Howard Palumbo ELC 9.3(b).
Suspended
Jean Ann Abrahamson Pirzadeh (WSBA No. 31080 admitted 2001) of Centralia, was suspended for one year and one day, effective 7/22/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court imposing reciprocal discipline in accordance with an order of the Supreme Court of the State of Colorado. For more information, see https://cl.cobar.org/from-the-courts/people-v-abrahamson-
pirzadeh-3/. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Jean Ann Abrahamson Pirzadeh represented themselves.
Decision document: The Washington Supreme Court Order.
Nicholas Smith (WSBA No. 46386 admitted 2013) of Phoenix, AZ, was suspended for three years, effective 6/13/2024, by order of the Washington Supreme Court imposing reciprocal discipline in accordance with an order of the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona. For more information, see https://www.azbar.org/for-legal-professionals/practice-tools-management/member-directory/?m=nicholas-smith-198593. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Nicholas Smith represented themselves.
Decision document: The Washington Supreme Court Order.