Opinion ID: 2517933
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Personal Service

Text: ¶ 24 ELC 10.3(a)(2) requires that a lawyer subject to a formal complaint be personally served with that complaint and a notice of answer for a hearing to commence. If the respondent cannot be found in Washington State, personal service is accomplished by leaving a copy at the respondent's place of usual abode in Washington State with a person of suitable age and discretion then resident therein or by mailing via certified or registered mail to respondent at his last known place of abode, office address maintained for the practice of law, post office address, or address on file with the Association. ELC 4.1(b)(3)(B)(i), (ii). ¶ 25 The record shows that Mr. King was not found for purposes of service of process, either in or out of Washington State. Service by mail or by leaving a copy with a suitable person at Mr. King's abode is thus proper. ¶ 26 Here, Mr. King identified the Kenmore residence as his abode within the previous year and the roommate who received service verified that Mr. King lived there. Mr. King does not contest that the Kenmore address was his address, that Mr. Wolfrey was his roommate, or that service on Mr. Wolfrey satisfied ELC requirements. Mr. King was thus properly served in Kenmore, Washington on May 8, 2007. Mr. King agreed that service in the Philippines in June 2007 was also proper.