THESE NOTICES OF THE IMPOSITION OF DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS AND ACTIONS involving lawyers, limited practice officers (LPOs), and limited license legal technicians (LLLTs). Active links to directory listings, which provide additional information and documents related to the disciplinary matter, and other linked information can be found by viewing the online version of Washington State Bar News at www.wabarnews.org or by looking up the respondent in the Discipline Notice Directory at https://www.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.
Resigned in Lieu of Discipline
Teresa Thais Keene (WSBA No. 40045, admitted 2008) of Spokane, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 10/15/2025. 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. Wilhelm Dingler represented respondent.
The Statement of Alleged Misconduct reflects the following violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation), and 8.4(d) (Prejudicial to the Admin of Justice).
Keene’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) failing to make an enforceable agreement with opposing counsel requiring the client’s former spouse to refinance the property in exchange for the client signing the modification papers; 2) failing to explain the effect of the mortgage modification documents to the client; and 3) falsely notarizing the modification loan documents.
Decision document: Resignation Form of Teresa Thais Keene (ELC 9.3(b)).
Reprimanded
Suellen Howard (WSBA No. 20506, admitted 1991) of Renton, was reprimanded, effective 10/15/2025, by order of the hearing officer. Francesca D’Angelo and Briana Gieri acted as disciplinary counsel. Suellen Howard represented themselves. Kenneth B. Gorton was the hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.6 (Confidentiality of Information) and 1.15A (Safeguarding Property).
Howard stipulated to reprimand for: 1) failing to deposit a client’s advance fees in a trust account and 2) disclosing information related to the representation of one or more clients, without each of the clients’ informed consent or any applicable exceptions permitting the disclosure(s).
Decision documents: Order Approving Stipulation to Reprimand; Stipulation to Reprimand; and Notice of Reprimand.
Admonished
James Joseph Raffa (WSBA No. 20394, admitted 1991) of Tacoma, was ordered to receive an admonition on 8/12/2025. Benjamin Attanasio and Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Jeffrey T. Kestle represented respondent.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.4 (Communication) and 1.5 (Fees).
In connection with Raffa’s representation of clients in personal injury matters, the Disciplinary Board issued an admonition. The Board found that Raffa: 1) provided settlement authorization forms that omitted an explicit statement that he would retain a one-third contingency fee from reimbursement payments to the clients’ insurers, thereby producing inconsistent and potentially misleading settlement documents despite other communications that disclosed the retention, and 2) shared legal fees with another attorney in multiple client matters, both of whom had signed fee agreements with the clients, without obtaining the clients’ written consent to the division of fees, as required by the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Decision documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Amending Hearing Officer’s Decision; and Admonition.