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
Hari L Alipuria (WSBA No. 26899, admitted 1997) of Tacoma, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 2/5/2026. 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. Benjamin Attanasio acted as disciplinary counsel. Hari L Alipuria represented themselves.
The Statement of Alleged Misconduct reflects the following violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.15B (Required Trust Account Records), 8.1 (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters), 8.4(b) (Criminal Act), and 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit, or Misrepresentation).
Alipuria’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) providing false testimony in a deposition, 2) using and/or converting client funds for respondent’s own purposes, 3) depositing and/or retaining respondent’s funds in the trust account, 4) failing to maintain a check register or client ledgers for respondent’s trust account, 5) failing to perform trust account reconciliations, and 6) making cash withdrawals from the trust account.
Decision document: Resignation Form of Hari L Alipuria (ELC 9.3(b)).
Reprimanded
Alice Bagirova (WSBA No. 49294, admitted 2015) of Bellevue, was reprimanded, effective 1/23/2026, by order of the hearing officer. Claire Carden acted as disciplinary counsel. Jeffrey T Kestle represented respondent. Kenneth B. Gorton was the settlement hearing officer. Michele Moore was the hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 3.2 (Expediting Litigation), 3.4 (Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel), and 5.3 (Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants).
Bagirova stipulated to reprimand for: 1) failing to produce information responsive to discovery requests and failing to comply with the court’s order compelling production of information, 2) failing to adequately supervise a paralegal, 3) failing to respond to discovery requests, failing to respond to a motion to compel and motion to dismiss, and failing to appear at the motion to dismiss hearing, and 4) failing to keep a client informed about the status of the matter.
Decision documents: Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Reprimand; and Notice of Reprimand.
Interim Suspension
Shannon Marie McMinimee (WSBA No. 34471, admitted 2003) of Outlook, is suspended from the practice of law in the state of Washington pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings, effective 2/25/2026, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. This is not a disciplinary sanction.
Gerald T. Osborn (WSBA No. 13712, admitted 1983) of Anacortes, is suspended from the practice of law in the state of Washington pending the outcome of supplemental proceedings, effective 2/20/2026, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. This is not a disciplinary sanction.