Court Opinion

ID: 2831598
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-08-27 15:48:21.672541+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:32:40.840791
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

In the Matter of the Disciplinary Proceeding )
                                                     )
Against KATHRYN B. ABELE,                            )               No. 201,352-0
                                                     )
                                                     )                  En Bane
                Attorney at Law.                     )
                                                     )
                                                     )       Filed      AUG 2 7 2015
                                                     )

      WIGGINS, J.-Following a four-day disciplinary hearing, hearing officer William

S. Bailey found that attorney Kathryn B. Abele committed two counts of misconduct.

He recommended that Abele be suspended for one year, that she complete an

evaluation to determine her fitness to practice law, and that she pay all litigation costs.

The Washington         State Bar Association         (WSBA) Disciplinary Board         (Board)

unanimously adopted the recommendations.

      Abele appealed, arguing that 11 of the 48 findings of fact were not supported

by substantial evidence and that suspension is not the appropriate sanction. We hold

that substantial evidence supports the hearing officer's findings of fact and that his

conclusions of law are correct. The record supports the finding ofJhr~e aggravating

factors   and   only    one   mitigating   factor.       We therefore   accept the     Board's

recommendation and suspend Abele from the practice of law for one year.
In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

                                         FACTS

         Abele was admitted to the practice of law in Washington in November 2002. At

all times relevant to this case she practiced family law as a solo practitioner.

         This proceeding arises out of two separate matters charged in two separate

counts of misconduct. The first count charged Abele with violating several rules of

professional conduct for behavior for which she was found in contempt of court in

September 2011. The second count charged Abele with knowingly making a false or

misleading report to the Seattle Police Department (SPD) in May 2011. Following a

four-day hearing that included testimony from 15 witnesses-9 witnesses for the

WSBA, Abele's videotaped deposition, and 5 witnesses on Abele's behalf-as well as

audio and video recordings of the incidents giving rise to each count, the hearing

officer made 48 detailed findings of fact. Abele assigns error to 11 of these facts; the

remaining findings are treated as verities on appeal. In re Disciplinary Proceeding

Against Marshall, 160 Wash. 2d 317, 330, 157 P.3d 859 (2007).

  I.      Factual History

          This factual summary is based entirely on unchallenged findings-Abele has

not assigned error to any the findings used for this factual history.

       A. Count 1: Contempt in Judge Farris's Courl

          In 2011, Abele represented the father in a three-way child custody battle in

Snohomish County Superior Court. Ms. Janal Rich and Mr. Richard Jones

represented the other parties, and Judge Anita Farris presided over the matter. The

trial lasted 13 days; the attorneys testified that it was unusual, complex, and

contentious.

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

      Throughout the trial, Abele was repeatedly admonished for interrupting the

court and other counsel. She slammed objects on the table and made loud comments

when Judge Farris ruled against her. Though Abele's comments and actions were

distracting to opposing counsel, she did not stop when the court instructed her to do

so. Instead, Abele would falsely respond, "I did not say anything" and continue to

engage in disruptive behavior. 1

       The court held a posttrial hearing in August 2011 to finalize the parenting plan.

Abele made it clear that she wanted the case resolved that day because she intended

to immediately appeal the court's decision. The court told Abele that it would not be

possible to conclude that day and that she would not sign Abele's proposed findings.

Abele became angry and said to Judge Farris, "You've got to leave now. We have to

take a break now." Judge Farris, inferring from the statement that Abele was going to

"blow up," called for a recess. After Judge Farris left the bench, Abele made a loud

screaming noise that could be heard in other rooms in the courthouse. Security was

called, but Abele was not held in contempt for this outburst,2

       On September 28, 2011, the court held another hearing to finalize the parenting

plan. Abele and opposing attorney Rich were present in the courtroom, with Jones

present by telephone. Abele and Rich loudly discussed a discrepancy in the parenting

plan while Judge Farris was speaking. Frustrated with Abele's interruption, Judge

1 Abele's disruptive behavior was not limited to the courtroom. Abele's calls to Ms. Rich's
staff were abusive, requiring Ms. Rich to implement an office-wide policy of screening Abele's
telephone calls. Abele also referred to the court's decisions as "wrong" or stupid" in front of
opposing counsel and the court staff while the court was in recess.
2 Though Judge Farris was not present and did not know the cause of the scream, testimony
from attorney Jones and the court reporter supported Abele's assertion that the scream was
a cry of pain rather than a cry of frustration or anger.

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

Farris attempted to make a record of her concerns, hoping to prevent further

interruptions. But Abele repeatedly interrupted Judge Farris, even yelling to express

her disagreement.     When Judge Farris directed staff to summon security, Abele

announced, "I'm going to jail. I'm going to jail," placing her hands over her head,

crossed at the wrists as if being handcuffed. Abele walked out of the courtroom while

court was still in session, causing the proceedings to come to a halt. Abele reentered

the courtroom and announced, "I'm leaving.         I'm out of here .... I'm abstaining

completely.... Good-bye."

       The court ordered security personnel to locate Abele and return her to the

courtroom. When Marshal Patrick Miles located Abele, she informed Miles that she

would not return. Miles and Sergeant David Hayes again informed Abele that Judge

Farris ordered her back to the courtroom. Abele refused initially but ultimately returned

to the courtroom.

       On Abele's return, Judge Farris continued to make a record of Abele's behavior.

Judge Farris stated that in the previous hearing Abele had made "loud noises that to

me sounded like an animal being killed" and that "I have been in these courts for 30

years, 18 as a judge. I have never heard anything-! have never heard any lawyer

make any kind of noise or do anything like that before." Abele again yelled at the

judge, attributing her previous scream to a hip injury and claiming that her yelling was

the result of a hearing disability. Judge Farris held Abele in contempt "based on your

screaming, yelling, jumping up and down in my courtroom, stomping and then-

stomping out and refusing to represent your client .... " Abele responded, "Your

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

Honor, I appreciate your lecture. Could you just tell me how much I have to pay in a

fine so I can get rid of it and take care of it and resolve this issue with you?"

       To purge her contempt, Judge Farris ordered Abele to make contact within 30

days with the Lawyer's Assistance Program (LAP) provided by the Washington State

Bar Association. Abele refused repeatedly to contact LAP.

       Abele's behavior continued to have a disruptive effect on the courthouse after

the hearing concluded. Immediately after leaving the courtroom, Abele yelled, "[T]hat

bitch!" Opposing counsel Ms. Rich was so shaken by Abele's behavior that she asked

to be accompanied by security personnel while leaving the courthouse.

       Despite her earlier refusals, Abele contacted LAP later in the day, timely purging

her contempt.

   B. Count II: Knowingly Filing a False Police Report

       Count II was based on Abele's conduct following her appearance before

Commissioner James Kahan at the King County Courthouse in Seattle. Abele

repeatedly left and reentered the courtroom. Commissioner Kahan requested

additional security personnel because he believed that Abele was causing a disruption

outside of his courtroom. Marshal Samuel Copeland was dispatched and served as

standby backup, observing the proceedings from the back of the courtroom.

       While Abele was outside the courtroom, Copeland heard a loud, agitated

female voice in the hallway. He investigated, saw Abele in the hallway, and asked her

to quiet down. This angered Abele: she extended her palm to Copeland, indicating

that she didn't want to listen to him, told him that she was an attorney and she could

talk however she wanted, and indicated that she didn't respect him. She also

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201 ,352-0

suggested to her client that Copeland was harassing her. Copeland returned to the

courtroom in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

       Later that day, Abele again encountered Copeland and yelled at him that she

didn't respect him and that "someone should tart in [his] face." Copeland again walked

away from Abele and toward Marshal Webb at the court's Fourth Avenue security

checkpoint.

       Abele followed Copeland to the checkpoint. Assuming that Webb was

Copeland's supervisor, Abele complained to Webb about Copeland's behavior,

waving her arms and speaking loudly and aggressively. Webb listened to Abele for a

short time and asked her to go about her business, stating that he did not need to

speak with her. Abele, angry at this dismissal, attempted to force her way between

Copeland and Webb, yelling to the marshals, "[A]re you going to get out of my way?"

Webb was seated on a stool, and Copeland was standing approximately one foot

away from Webb. Instead of walking around the marshals in the six to eight feet of

open hallway available to her, Abele pushed her way between them, contacting both

police officers: her leg brushed against Webb's knee and she pushed against

Copeland's body, causing him to move.

       Abele immediately spun around, pointed, and yelled at Webb, accusing him of

tripping her. She called 911, and SPD Officer James Ritter responded. Abele told

Ritter that Webb had intentionally tripped her. She asserted that she had politely asked

to go between the marshals because there was no room to go around them, that the

marshals were rude to her, and that Webb laughed at her after his assault.

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

        Officer Ritter interviewed Abele, Copeland, and Webb, and reviewed the

security video. Ritter did not interview any other witnesses who were in the hallway

during the incident. In reviewing the video, Ritter noted that Abele appeared to

intentionally force herself into the 12 inch space between the two marshals, even

though the remaining 8 feet of hallway was largely clear of visitors. He also noted that

Abele had to turn sideways to pass between the marshals and that while "virtually

every portion of her body appeared to make contact with the marshals, she did not

appear to stumble or fall." Ritter observed, however, that the video camera angle did

not show Webb's seat position or his legs. Ritter concluded that the video did not

support Abele's version of events because the hallway was not congested, as Abele

alleged; the video did not show her tripping, stumbling, or reacting to the marshals as

she passed between them; and none of the potential witnesses or other individuals in

the hallway approached him or suggested that there was a problem with the marshals'

behavior. The internal investigation was ultimately dismissed, and Marshal Webb

received a letter stating that Abele's charge was not substantiated.

  II.   Procedural History

        The WSBA filed an amended formal complaint against Abele on March 21,

2013. Count I charged that Abele violated Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) 3.4(c),

3.5(d), 8.4(d), and/or 8.4U) on September 28, 2011 by engaging in the conduct that

resulted in the court's finding her in contempt. Count II charged that Abele knowingly

made a false and/or misleading statement to an officer of the SPD in violation of RPC

8.4(b), 8.4(c), and/or 8.4(d). The hearing took place November 12 to15, 2013. At the

hearing, the WSBA presented testimony from nine witnesses, including Judge Farris,

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

her court reporter, opposing counsel present during the September 2011 conference,

and the marshals and officer involved in the incident that gave rise to Abele's report

to law enforcement.       The hearing officer also considered portions of Abele's

videotaped five-hour pretrial deposition, the audio recording of the September 28,

2011 hearing, and the security video showing the alleged tripping incident on May 16,

2011.

        Hearing officer WilliamS. Bailey issued his findings of fact (FF), conclusions of

law, and hearing officer's recommendation on December 18, 2013. He found that

Abele violated RPC 3.4(c), 3.5(d), 8.4(b), 8.4(c), 8.4(d), and 8.4(j).

        Hearing officer Bailey recommended a one-year suspension with reinstatement

conditioned on the successful completion of a fitness to practice evaluation. He also

required Abele to pay all litigation costs and the costs of her fitness to practice

evaluation. The Board unanimously affirmed after considering Abele's briefing and

oral argument.

                                        ANALYSIS

  I.    Standard of Review

        This court "bears the ultimate responsibility for lawyer discipline in Washington."

Marshall, 160 Wash. 2d at 329. Nevertheless, "we give considerable weight to the

hearing officer's findings of fact." /d. at 329-30. "We also give great weight to the

hearing officer's evaluation of the credibility and veracity of witnesses." /d. at 330. We

treat unchallenged findings as verities on appeal. /d.

        We accept challenged findings of fact as long as they are supported by

substantial evidence. /d. "Substantial evidence" is "evidence sufficient 'to persuade a

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

fair-minded, rational person of the truth of a declared premise."' /d. (internal quotation

marks omitted) (quoting In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Poole, 156 Wash. 2d 196,

209 n.2, 125 P.3d 954 (2006)). Substantial evidence can be direct evidence as well

as circumstantial evidence. In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Guarnera, 152
Wash. 2d 51, 61, 93 P.3d 166 (2004) (circumstantial evidence alone can constitute

substantial evidence). The hearing officer is allowed to evaluate direct and

circumstantial evidence, including evaluations about the credibility of the witnesses,

and draw reasonable inferences from that evidence. In re Disciplinary Proceeding

Against Simmerly, 174 Wash. 2d 963, 988, 285 P.3d 838 (2012) (evaluations about

witness credibility); In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Cohen, 149 Wash. 2d 323, 332-

33, 67 P.3d 1086 (2003) (reasonable inferences).

       An attorney challenging findings of fact must present argument as to why the

specific findings are unsupported and cite to the record to support that argument.

Marshall, 160 Wash. 2d at 331 (citing In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Kronenberg,

155 Wash. 2d 184, 191, 117 P.3d 1134 (2005)). The attorney must do more than argue

his or her version of the facts while ignoring the testimony of other witnesses. /d. We

will not overturn findings based simply on an alternative explanation or versions of the

facts previously rejected by the hearing officer and Board. /d.

       We review challenged conclusions of law de novo. In re Disciplinary Proceeding

Against Jackson, 180 Wash. 2d 201, 220, 322 P.3d 795 (2014). The WSBA must prove

misconduct by a clear preponderance of the evidence. /d.; ELC 10.14(b ). This

standard requires more proof than a simple preponderance but less than beyond a

reasonable doubt. /d.

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

    II.   Substantial Evidence Review

          Abele's opening brief does not assign error to specific findings of fact by number

as required by RAP 10.3(g) (appellate court only reviews "a claimed error which is

included in an assignment of error or clearly disclosed in the associated issue

pertaining thereto"). 3 We are not required to address findings not argued by Abele,

and we can reject challenges that Abele fails to support with citations to the record.

See Marshall, 160 Wash. 2d at 331 (providing that a challenge is sufficient only if the

attorney cites to the record or legal authority). Rather than making a true sufficiency

argument, the majority of Abele's briefing merely reiterates the arguments that were

considered and rejected by the hearing officer and the Board. Despite these critical

deficiencies, we consider and ultimately reject Abele's appeal from the 11 challenged

findings of fact listed in the appellant's reply brief.

          Abele asks this court to reject the hearing officer's and unanimous Board's

conclusion that Abele violated RPC 3.4(c), 3.5(d), 8.4(b), 8.4(c), 8.4(d), and 8.4U). She

generally argues that substantial evidence does not support the conclusion that she

acted knowingly or intentionally as to either count. Though she acknowledges that she

engaged in the conduct alleged in count I, she argues that she was provoked and that

her conduct was negligent. As to count II, Abele argues that while substantial evidence

may support the conclusion that she was not tripped, there is not substantial evidence

that she subjectively knew that she was filing a false police report.

3 When this was pointed out in the bar counsel's answering brief, Abele included in her reply
brief a list of the findings of fact she challenges. But she fails to argue or to cite to the record
to demonstrate that specific findings are unsupported.

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

      Abele's mental state is an essential element in finding a violation of RPC 3.4(c)

(knowingly), 3.5(d) (intentional), and 8.4U) (willful). It is also an element of RCW

9A. 76.175 (knowledge), the statute that gives rise to Abele's violation of RPC 8.4(b)

and 8.4(c). A lawyer's state of mind is a factual issue, and we give great weight to the

hearing officer's determination because the hearing officer is in the best position to

make this determination. In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Longacre, 155 Wash. 2d
723, 744, 122 P.3d 710 (2005) (citing In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Ansche/1

149 Wash. 2d 484, 501, 69 P.3d 844 (2003)).

       We hold that substantial evidence supports the hearing officer's factual

determinations and that both counts are proved by a clear preponderance of the

evidence.

    A. Count I

       We hold that count I was proved by a clear preponderance of the evidence.

Substantial evidence supports the hearing officer's findings that Abele violated RPC

3.4(c), 4 3.5(d), 5 8.4(d), 6 and 8.4Uf by engaging in conduct that resulted in a finding

that she was in contempt of court. The undisputed findings of fact support the

challenged findings. Abele's violations require an attorney's conduct to be either

4 RPC 3.4(c), "Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel," provides that "[a] lawyer shall not ...
knowingly disobey an obligation under the rules of a tribunal except for an open refusal based
on an assertion that no valid obligation exists." (Formatting omitted.)
5 RPC 3.5(d), "Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal," provides that "[a] lawyer shall not ...

engage in conduct intended to disrupt a tribunal." (Formatting omitted.)
6 RPC 8.4(d), "Misconduct," provides that "[i]t is professional misconduct for a lawyer to ...

engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice." (Formatting omitted.)
7 RPC 8.4U) provides that "[i]t is professional misconduct for a lawyer to ... willfully disobey

or violate a court order directing him or her to do or cease doing an act which he or she ought
in good faith to do or forbear." (Formatting omitted.)

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

knowing, intentional, or willful; the hearing officer specifically found that Abele's

conduct was intentional, unprovoked, and unjustified.

        Abele concedes that her conduct disrupted Judge Farris's court on September

28, 2011 but argues that she did not act knowingly or intentionally. Purportedly

recognizing that her behavior was "wrong," her argument instead is that she did not

intend to violate the RPCs. In her reply brief, Abele specifically challenges the portions

of FF   ~~   6, 11, 28, and 29 stating that her conduct was intentional, unprovoked, and

unjustified; she does not challenge that the conduct discussed in those findings

occurred. She also does not make a true sufficiency argument: she argues that her

outburst warrants admonition or reprimand rather than suspension and does not cite

to the record to support her argument that specific findings are unsupported. 8 This

mitigation argument reasserts many of the same arguments presented below and

implores us to reach a different conclusion. We reject these arguments and hold that

substantial evidence supports the hearing officer's findings.

        Hearing officer Bailey heard testimony from five witnesses, including Judge

Farris, on count I. He also reviewed numerous exhibits, including Judge Farris's

written order finding Abele in contempt on September 30, 2011. "Contempt of court"

requires intentional conduct. RCW 7.21.01 0. The order states:

        The Court further finds that this contempt was deliberate, willful, and in
        bad faith and that it was within [Abele's] control to cease her
        contemptuous behavior.

8 It is not clear why Abele argues that admonition or a reprimand would be appropriate, aside
from the fact that they are the lowest levels of discipline imposed. Contempt itself requires
intentional conduct, and three of the rules that Abele has been charged with violating require
knowing, intentional, or willful conduct. We hold that Abele violated these rules; in finding that
she violated these RPCs we necessarily also hold that she did not do so negligently.

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

Abele did not appeal the finding of contempt or take exception to these findings.

Rather, she complied with the court's order and her contempt was purged on October

6,2011.

       Substantial evidence supports the hearing officer's finding that Abele was

deliberately disruptive during court proceedings, making it difficult for the other

attorneys to examine witnesses. In addition to reviewing Judge Farris's unchallenged

findings that Abele's behavior was "deliberate, willful, and in bad faith," the hearing

officer considered Judge Farris's testimony that Abele behaved badly throughout the

entire trial and that Abele was warned about this bad behavior. The hearing officer

also heard evidence from opposing counsel that Abele frequently put them "off their

game" by engaging in loud, disruptive conversations with her clients during witness

examinations.

       The unchallenged findings of fact lend further support to the hearing officer's

challenged finding, FF ~ 28, that Abele's actions were intentional. Abele's misbehavior

began during the pretrial phase, occasioning Judge Farris's frequent admonitions and

warnings. Abele consistently claimed that she had done nothing and referred to Judge

Farris's rulings as "wrong" or "stupid" in front of opposing counsel and the court staff.

Importantly, the hearing officer specifically rejected Abele's alternative explanations

for this disruptive conduct, finding that "[Abele] was able to exercise complete control

over the volume of her speech, getting loud or soft at will. ... [She] got loud because

she was angry, not because she did not know that she was being loud." Abele does

not challenge this finding.

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201 ,352-0

       The hearing officer also considered and explicitly rejected Abele's arguments

that Judge Farris allowed her courtroom to get out of control or otherwise provoked

the interruption on September 28. He noted that Abele continued to interrupt the court

and that Abele continued to yell-she even deliberately screamed in order to

demonstrate what a real yell sounded like-" If you want me to tell you the difference

between 'I'm going to jail', and (Yelling) I'm screaming, there's the difference. Now I'm

screaming"-and stormed out of the courtroom while court was in session.

Accordingly, the hearing officer rejected Abele's argument that her interruptions and

behavior on September 28 were the result of "a rare emotional outburst."

       Rather than present specific facts or argument as to why the hearing officer's

findings are unsupported, many of Abele's challenges merely rehash the arguments

already considered and rejected by the hearing officer and by the Board.

       We hold that substantial evidence supports the hearing officer's findings that

Abele's behavior was intentional. We adopt the hearing officer's conclusion that

Abele's behavior violated RPC 3.4(c), 3.5(d), 8.4(d), and 8.4U) and hold that count I is

proved by a clear preponderance of the evidence.

    B. Count II

       We also uphold the hearing officer's conclusion that count II was proved by a

clear preponderance of the evidence. The hearing officer found that Abele violated

RPC 8.4(b) 9 (by violating RCW 9A.76.175), RPC 8.4(c), 10 and RPC 8.4(d) by

9 RPC 8.4(b) provides that "[i]t is professional misconduct for a lawyer to ... commit a criminal
act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in
other respects."
10 RPC 8.4(c) provides that "[i]t is professional misconduct for a lawyer to ... engage in
conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation."

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

knowingly making a false and misleading statement to an officer of the SPD. RCW

9A.76.175 reads in part, "A person who knowingly makes a false or misleading

material statement to a public servant is guilty of a gross misdemeanor."

       Abele argues that the WSBA cannot establish by a clear preponderance of the

evidence that Abele had the subjective knowledge that Marshal Webb did not attempt

to trip her. Therefore, she concludes that the WSBA cannot establish count II by a

clear preponderance of the evidence because it cannot show that Abele knew that

she was making a false statement to the SPD. In making these arguments, Abele

challenges FF   ,m 37-39, ,-r 41, ,-r,-r 43-44, and ,-r 48. However, she does not point to
specific facts in the record that counter these findings; she simply takes exception to

factual findings that her version of events was not credible and that she intentionally

or knowingly filed the false report. 11 Abele does not challenge the findings that she

continued to loudly engage Marshal Copeland after he made attempts to disengage

from the situation, that she was the aggressor, that there was ample room for her to

go around the marshals, or that she deliberately forced her way between the

marshals. She also concedes that her statement was material and made to a public

servant, satisfying elements of RCW 9A. 76.175.

       The Rules of Professional Conduct provide the standard for "knowing" behavior.

RPC 1.0A provides in relevant part:

11 Because Abele generally challenges these factual findings and does not make specific
exceptions to specific factual findings, this opinion consolidates her challenges to the more
general question of whether substantial evidence supports the hearing officer's determination
that Abele "knowingly" filed a false police report.

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201 ,352-0

              (a) "Belief" or "believes" denotes that the person involved actually
       supposed the fact in question to be true. A person's belief may be
       inferred from circumstances.

             (f) "Knowingly," "known," or "knows" denotes actual knowledge of
       the fact in question. A person's knowledge may be inferred from
       circumstances.

              (i) "Reasonable belief" or "reasonably believes" when used in
       reference to a lawyer denotes that the lawyer believes the matter in
       question and that the circumstances are such that the belief is
       reasonable.

       The hearing officer properly resolved this issue by making a permissible

credibility determination. Abele argues that she did not knowingly file a false report

because she believed that she was tripped. The WSBA argues that Abele knew that

she wasn't tripped and that she invented the complaint because she wanted to get

the marshals in trouble. It was up to the hearing officer to determine which version

was more credible, and after considering all the evidence, he found that Abele's

version of events was not credible and that the WSBA explanation was the only

reasonable explanation.

       We agree with the hearing officer. The hearing officer is allowed to evaluate

direct and circumstantial evidence, including evaluations about the credibility of the

witnesses, and draw reasonable inferences from that evidence. Simmerly, 174 Wash. 2d

at 988 (evaluations about witness credibility); Cohen, 149 Wash. 2d at 332-33

(reasonable inferences). The hearing officer heard testimony from five witnesses on

count II. Three witnesses, Marshal Webb, Marshal Copeland, and Officer Ritter,

testified that Webb did not trip Abele. Another witness, Mr. Rakesh Pai, testified that

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

he was in the hallway during the incident and that he saw Webb trip Abele. However,

his testimony also asserted that the tripping happened in a different area and that

Abele grabbed a metal detector and security bar for support; neither of these objects

was near the location where the incident occurred. The hearing officer found that his

testimony was not credible. 12

       The hearing officer also watched the surveillance videos, which did not show

Abele falling forward or lurching as she had described in her complaint to Officer Ritter.

He considered Officer Ritter's report and Abele's testimony that she wanted one or

both of the marshals to get in trouble and that "[w]hat I say to a cop has no meaning

to me." He further considered and made uncontested findings of fact that Abele twice

tried to confront Marshal Copeland, that she forced her way between the marshals,

and that Abele was the aggressor.

12 The hearing officer also heard testimony from Julie Herber. Abele argues that the hearing
officer erred in excluding as hearsay Herber's testimony regarding a conversation that she
had with Ms. Abele on May 16, 2011. Any error in this ruling was harmless: Abele's attorney
laid additional foundation, and the hearing officer overruled a subsequent hearsay objection.
The statements at issue were ultimately admitted and considered by the hearing officer.

        Abele also asserts that the hearing officer's initial ruling that the statement was
hearsay demonstrates that "he did not appreciate the relevance of the evidence to Abele's
state of mind." She then combines this argument with an objection to FF 1J40, which states
that the King County security video "does not support Respondent's claim she was tripped,"
to suggest that the hearing officer impermissibly shifted the burden of persuasion to Abele to
prove that she had been tripped. However, this theory ignores the fact that Abele did not
advance the argument below that this was a nonhearsay statement. Instead, counsel below
asserted that he didn't think it was hearsay and that it "goes to excited utterance in any event."
Given latitude by the hearing officer, Abele then proceeded to lay the foundation for an excited
utterance objection to the hearsay rule. Ultimately, the hearing officer overruled the WSBA's
hearsay objection and admitted the statements, noting that he wished to give counsel latitude.
Abele does not provide citation or demonstrate how this impermissibly shifted the burden,
and we do not address the argument further.

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201 ,352-0

      Abele attempts to demonstrate that the hearing officer's findings are not

supported by substantial evidence by characterizing the findings as both "negative

evidence" and "speculation." She further asserts that the video "is entirely inconclusive

as to [her] belief that she was tripped." Both the hearing officer and the investigating

police officer used the video in conjunction with witness testimony to evaluate the

credibility of the parties. The hearing officer must consider all of the evidence

presented and make a credibility determination as to the alternate explanation. See

Simmerly, 174 Wash. 2d at 982-83. He is also permitted to make reasonable inferences.

Cohen, 149 Wash. 2d at 332-33.

       Here, the hearing officer could use the video to assess the witness' credibility.

He could compare Abele's statement that she passed through the marshals because

there was no room to go around with the video that clearly showed adequate space

in the hallway. This credibility determination is contained at unchallenged FF      1l   35

(despite ample room, Abele deliberately pushed between the marshals). He could use

the video to watch Abele deliberately reengage with Copeland in the hallway after he

had disengaged from her twice in an attempt to de-escalate the conflict; this

information was also captured in an unchallenged finding of fact. He could also

consider Abele's general hostility toward police officers, as evidenced by statements

such as "I believe every cop lies in every report they ever write" and her answer of

"what difference does it make what I say to a cop?" when asked, "[D]o you feel its ok

to say things that aren't true to cops?" See a/so unchallenged FF    1l 32 (Abele stating
that "someone should tart in your face" to Copeland). The hearing officer was

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permitted to consider all of this (unchallenged) evidence and draw reasonable

inferences from Abele's behavior based on the totality of the circumstances.

        The evidence presented during the four-day hearing allowed the hearing officer

to make reasonable credibility determinations and infer that Abele knew that Marshal

Webb did not trip her and that she knowingly made a false police report to get him into

trouble. A lawyer's state of mind is a factual determination, and we give great weight

to the hearing officer's determination because the hearing officer is in the best position

to make these determinations. Longacre, 155 Wash. 2d at 744. Here, substantial

evidence supports the hearing officer's findings of fact and that these findings of fact

support the conclusion that count II was proved by a clear preponderance of the

evidence.

 Ill.   Suspension Is the Appropriate Sanction

        We also affirm the hearing officer's and unanimous Board's sanctions against

Abele. The American Bar Association's Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions

(1991 ed. & Supp. 1992) "govern lawyer sanctions in Washington." Marshall, 160
Wash. 2d at 342. Based on these standards, we apply a three-step process to analyze a

recommended sanction. In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Preszler, 169 Wash. 2d 1,

18, 232 P.3d 1118 (201 0). First, we determine the presumptive sanction by analyzing

'"the ethical duties violated, ... the lawyer's mental state, and ... the actual or

potential injury caused by the lawyer's conduct."' /d. (quoting Marshall, 160 Wash. 2d at

342). Second, "we determine whether any aggravating or mitigating circumstances

call for a departure from the presumptive sanction." /d. Third, if raised by the attorney

being disciplined, "we evaluate the Board's recommended sanction based on '(1) [the]

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

proportionality of the sanction to the misconduct and (2) the extent of agreement

among the members of the Disciplinary Board."' /d. (quoting In re Disciplinary

Proceeding Against Schwimmer, 153 Wash. 2d 752, 764, 108 P.3d 761 (2005)).

       We afford great deference to the Board's recommended sanction but retain the

ultimate authority for determining the appropriate sanction for an attorney's

misconduct. In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Wickersham, 178 Wash. 2d 653, 664,

310 P.3d 1237 (2013). We generally adopt the sanction recommended by a

unanimous Board unless there is a clear reason for departure. /d. Abele argues (1)

that substantial evidence does not support the hearing officer's finding that she acted

intentionally or knowingly, (2) that the WSBA failed to prove two of the three

aggravating factors found by the hearing officer, (3) that the hearing officer did not

apply all applicable mitigating factors, and (4) that Abele's sanction is disproportionate

given the circumstances of her case.

   A. Mental State for Count I

       Abele argues that substantial evidence does not support the hearing officer's

finding that she acted intentionally or with knowledge as required to impose a

suspension under Standards 6.22. She asserts that her conduct was negligent rather

than knowing. This argument mirrors her argument that she didn't violate the

applicable RPCs, as they require more than negligent conduct. As we noted in Part

II.A of this opinion, Judge Farris found that Abele's behavior was "deliberate, willful,

and in bad faith" in her unchallenged order of contempt. Additionally, our sufficiency

analysis of count I upholds the hearing officer's finding that Abele's conduct was

intentional.

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        Standard 6.22 reads:

        Suspension is generally appropriate when a lawyer knows[ 13l that he or
        she is violating a court order or rule, and causes injury or potential injury
        to a client or party, or causes interference or potential interference with
        a legal proceeding.

        Standards 6.22 applies to Abele's intentional conduct. We therefore adopt the

recommendation and hold that suspension is the presumptive sanction for Abele's

conduct under count I.

     B. Mental State for Count II

        Abele argues that substantial evidence does not support the hearing officer's

finding that she knowingly made a false or misleading report to the SPD in May 2011;

she does not argue that suspension is not the appropriate standard for an attorney

knowingly making a false or misleading police report, pursuant to Standards 5.12. 14

Because we hold that substantial evidence supports the hearing officer's finding that

Abele knowingly made a false or misleading report to the SPD in May 2011, we also

hold that suspension is the presumptive sanction for Abele's conduct under count II.

     C. Aggravating and Mitigating Factors

        Aggravating or mitigating factors can alter the presumptive sanction but only if

they are sufficiently compelling to justify a deviation. Cohen, 149 Wash. 2d 323, 339. The

13 The ABA Standards articulate a slightly different definition of "knowledge" than the RPCs.
Compare STANDARDS at 17 ('"Knowledge' is the conscious awareness of the nature or
attendant circumstances of the conduct but without the conscious objective or purpose to
accomplish a particular result."), with RPC 1.0A(f) ("'Knowingly,' 'known,' or 'knows' denotes
actual knowledge of the fact in question. A person's knowledge may be inferred from
circumstances."). Abele's intentional conduct satisfies the requirements of both definitions.
14   Standards 5.12 reads, "Suspension is generally appropriate when a lawyer knowingly
engages in criminal conduct which does not contain the elements listed in Standard 5.11 and
that seriously adversely reflects on the lawyer's fitness to practice."

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201,352-0

hearing officer determined that three aggravating factors applied under Standards

9.22: (1) dishonest or selfish motive, (2) refusal to acknowledge the wrongful nature

of conduct, and (3) substantial experience in the practice of law. The hearing officer

found one mitigating factor under Standards 9.32: the absence of a prior disciplinary

record. Though potentially applicable, the hearing officer did not apply an aggravating

factor for multiple offenses. Abele does not challenge the applicability of the

aggravating factor "substantial experience in the practice of law"; Abele was admitted

to the bar and has been practicing since 2002.

       Abele challenges the first two aggravating factors and argues that the hearing

officer erred by failing to recognize the stress of litigation as an additional mitigating

factor. Each of her challenges is specific to the presence of aggravating factors for

count I, even though the hearing officer did not distinguish aggravating and mitigating

factors between count I and count II. We hold that Abele acted with a dishonest or

selfish motive and that she refused to acknowledge the wrongful nature of her

conduct. We decline to add the mitigator of "personal or emotional problems-stress

of litigation," requested by Abele, to her sanction analysis.

    1. Dishonest or Selfish Motive

       As to count I, Abele challenges the application of the aggravating factor

"dishonest or selfish motive" by incorporating her earlier argument that her mental

state was merely negligent. The WSBA counters with citations to testimony from

Judge Farris that Abele's repeated interruptions throughout the proceedings

manifested numerous advantages for her case:

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      And by doing it, she does gain advantages. It's a form of belligerent
      bullying by which she does get extra argument. She gets facts in the
      record that are not subject to cross-examination. She throws her
      opponents off because they are disrupted.

These assertions are supported by testimony from opposing counsel. The hearing

officer is permitted to make reasonable inferences of motive. In re Disciplinary

Proceeding Against Dornay, 160 Wash. 2d 671, 684, 161 P.3d 333 (2007). We have

already held that substantial evidence supports the finding that Abele's actions were

intentional; substantial evidence also supports the aggravating factor of dishonest or

selfish motive.

       As to count II, the hearing officer found that Abele knowingly gave a false report

to law enforcement personnel, motivated by her desire to get either Marshal Copeland

or Marshal Webb in trouble by filing a complaint against one or both marshals.

Because we hold that this finding is supported by substantial evidence and because

Abele does not challenge the presence of any aggravating factor as to count II, we

also find that the "dishonest or selfish motive" aggravating factor applies to count II.

   2. Refusal To Acknowledge Wrongful Nature of Conduct

       Abele also challenges the second aggravating factor, "refusal to acknowledge

wrongful nature of conduct." STANDARDS 9.22(g). This aggravating factor is

appropriate where a lawyer admits that she engaged in the alleged conduct but denies

that it was wrongful or where she rationalizes the improper conduct as error. In re

Disciplinary Proceeding Against Ferguson, 170 Wash. 2d 916, 943-44, 246 P.3d 1236

(2011) (citing In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Holcomb, 162 Wash. 2d 563, 588-89,

173 P.3d 898 (2007)). We have also held that Standards 9.22(g) applies when the

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attorney '"did not accept responsibility but sought to justify his conduct with

explanations that were insufficient."' In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Lopez, 153
Wash. 2d 570, 580, 106 P.3d 221 (2005).

       The hearing officer reasonably concluded that Standards 9.22(g) applies here.

Though Abele presented some evidence that she has acknowledged the wrongful

nature of her conduct, her careful selection of statements and assertions ignores

substantial evidence that she has not accepted responsibility for her conduct. Abele

testified in her deposition, taken only four months before the hearing, that she didn't

understand why the WSBA filed a complaint against her, that she didn't understand

what she did wrong in front of Judge Farris, and that "there was nothing [she] could

do to please [Judge Farris]." Her stated belief is that "Judge Farris found [her] in

contempt because she didn't like [her] .... [T]hat [is the only reason]."

       Abele's briefing also shifted blame for her misconduct to Judge Farris. The

hearing officer specifically found that Abele's assertion that her outbursts were caused

by a hearing disability was not credible, and he explicitly rejected her assertions that

Judge Farris's behavior provoked her outburst. These factual findings are

unchallenged. The hearing officer also found, and Abele does not challenge, that

Abele's remaining excuses and explanations were not credible. We therefore reject

Abele's contention that the aggravating factor "refusal to acknowledge wrongful nature

of conduct" does not apply.

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   3. Stress of Litigation

       Abele urges this court to apply the stress of litigation as a mitigating factor, citing

Dornay, 160 Wash. 2d at 687. In Dornay, the attorney lied under oath in order to protect

an extramarital affair. /d. at 684. We acknowledged that "[t]he Washington Legislature

and the courts of this state have recognized the profound impact of intimate partner

violence" and held that the emotional problems associated with Dornay's relationship

constituted a mitigating factor that merits substantial weight. /d. at 687.

       We reject Abele's argument to apply the stress of litigation as a mitigating factor.

Even acknowledging that Abele's misconduct under count I occurred during a

contentious, 13-day trial that Judge Farris agreed "was stressful," Abele presents no

argument that the stress associated with litigation is comparable to the stress of

intimate partner violence that was a mitigator in Dornay. Applicable mitigators

concerning issues of mental disability and personal or emotional problems (Standards

9.32(c)) are given varying degrees of weight depending on how greatly the factors

contributed to the conduct. Wickersham, 178 Wash. 2d at 673. However, Abele makes

no attempt to show that the stress of trial caused her to misbehave throughout the

proceedings, including during pretrial, or that these factors contributed to her

misconduct     alleged   under count       II.   We   decline to    add   the   mitigator of

"personal/emotional problems-stress of litigation" to Abele's sanction analysis.

    D. Proportionality

       Finally, Abele argues that suspension for 12 months is not proportionate to her

misconduct. "A six-month suspension is the accepted minimum term of suspension."

In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Cohen, 150 Wash. 2d 774, 762, 82 P.3d 224

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(2004 ). This minimum term suspension is warranted when "there are either no

aggravating factors and at least some mitigating factors, or where the mitigating

factors clearly outweigh any aggravating factors." In re Disciplinary Proceeding

Against Halverson, 140 Wash. 2d 475, 497, 998 P.2d 833 (2000). In considering a

proportionality   argument,    we    generally    do   not   depart    from   the    Board's

recommendation. However, we will do so "if we are persuaded that the sanction is

inappropriate in light of the (1) disproportionality of the sanction to the misconduct or

(2) the extent of disagreement among the members of the Board." 15 Jackson, 180
Wash. 2d at 238 (citing In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Kuvara, 149 Wash. 2d 237,

259, 66 P.3d 1057 (2003)).

       Here, there is no disagreement among the members of the Board: the Board

was unanimous that Abele should be suspended for one year. We give this unanimous

recommendation great deference. In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Day, 162
Wash. 2d 527, 538, 542, 173 P.3d 915 (2007).

       Abele's count I contempt violation is clear and egregious. Judges have a

responsibility to maintain order in their courtroom; when the judge has to resort to

issuing an order of contempt in order to secure compliance with a court order, the

attorney's behavior is clearly over the line. Abele does not provide us with a compelling

reason to reject the recommended suspension. We therefore adopt the Board's

recommendation and hold that a one-year suspension is warranted under these facts.

15We may also depart from the Board's recommendation if we find that our weighing of
aggravating and mitigating factors differs from the Board's. See In re Disciplinary Proceeding
Against Perez-Pena, 161 Wash. 2d 820, 837, 168 P.3d 408 (2007). Because that is not the case
here, we do not depart from the Board's recommendation.

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201 ,352-0

                                      CONCLUSION

       Abele knowingly committed the acts of misconduct alleged in counts I and II in

violation of RPC 3.4(c), 3.5(d), 8.4(b), 8.4(c), and 8.4U). The hearing officer found

these violations, and Abele's violation of RPC 8.4(d), by a clear preponderance of the

evidence. The presumptive sanction for a knowing violation of these rules is

suspension. We therefore adopt the Board's recommendation in full and order that

Abele be suspended from the practice of law for one year, that she complete an

evaluation to determine her fitness to practice prior to being reinstated to the practice

of law, and that she pay all costs and expenses, including attorney fees awardable

under the ELC 13.9.

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In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Abele, No. 201 ,352-0

       WE CONCUR.

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