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.
Suspended
Derek J. Ashton (WSBA No. 40406 admitted 2008) of Oviedo, FL, was suspended for 30 days, effective 7/20/2026, 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=871552&s=1. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Arden John Olson represented respondent.
Decision document: The Washington Supreme Court Order.
Allen R. Peters (WSBA No. 24988 admitted 1995) of Lake Oswego, OR, was suspended for 90 days, effective 7/01/2026, 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/_docs/dbreport/2026/PETERSAllenR25-14.pdf. Henry Cruz acted as disciplinary counsel. Allen R. Peters represented themselves.
Decision document: The Washington Supreme Court Order.
Benjamin Lloyd Wyborney (WSBA No. 50070, admitted 2015) of Spokane, was suspended for six months, effective 8/25/2026, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. Claire Carden acted as disciplinary counsel. Benjamin Lloyd Wyborney represented themselves. Randolph O. Petgrave III 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 8.4(l) (ELC violation).
The hearing officer recommended, and the court ordered, that Wyborney be suspended from the practice of law in Washington state for six months, followed by probation for 24 months beginning on the date Benjamin Lloyd Wyborney is reinstated to the practice of law.
Wyborney was found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by: 1) failing to respond to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) discovery requests, its motion to deem the requests for admissions admitted, and failing to respond to the motion to compel; 2) failing to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of their matter and to respond to the client’s reasonable requests for information; and 3) failing to provide a written response to the client’s grievance and to promptly provide requested documents to ODC.
Decision documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Declining Sua Sponte Review and Adopting Hearing Officer’s Decision; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
Reprimanded
Susan Elizabeth Skelton (WSBA No. 47154, admitted 2014) of Everett, was reprimanded, effective 7/20/2026, by order of the Hearing Officer. Erica Temple and Amanda Lee acted as disciplinary counsel. Jeffrey T. Kestle represented respondent. Timothy J. O’Connell was the settlement hearing officer. Jeff H. Capell was the hearing officer.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 11.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees) ,1.8 (Conflict of Interest: Current Clients: Specific Rules), and 1.15A (Safeguarding Property).
Skelton stipulated to reprimand for: 1) renegotiating a fee agreement with a client during the representation without fully disclosing the terms in writing, without advising the client of the desirability of seeking—or giving them a reasonable opportunity to seek—the advice of an independent lawyer on the transaction, and without obtaining the client’s informed consent in a writing signed by the client to the essential terms of the transaction; 2) failing to reasonably communicate with the client about fees and costs that were accruing during the representation; 3) failing to deposit and maintain client funds in a trust account; and 4) failing to deposit into trust funds belonging to both the respondent and the client.
Decision documents: Order on Stipulation to Reprimand; Stipulation to Reprimand; and Notice of Reprimand.
Interim Suspension
Steven C. Andersen (WSBA No. 25860, admitted 1996) of Vancouver, is suspended from the practice of law in the state of Washington pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings, effective 8/20/2026, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. This is not a disciplinary sanction.
John Michael Sheeran (WSBA No. 26050, admitted 1996) of Tacoma, is suspended from the practice of law in the state of Washington pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings, effective 8/21/2026, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. This is not a disciplinary sanction.