Note: More than 15,200 persons are eligible to practice law in Oregon. Some of them share the same name or similar names. All discipline reports should be read carefully for names, addresses and bar numbers.
Note: More than 14,800 persons are eligible to practice law in Oregon. Some of them share the same name or similar names. All discipline reports should be read carefully for names, addresses and bar numbers.
SUSAN E. SNELL
OSB #853356
Tualatin
60-day suspension, 30 days stayed, one-year probation
Effective Mar. 15, 2015, the disciplinary board approved a stipulation suspending Tualatin lawyer Susan Snell for 60 days, all but 30 days stayed, pending completion of a two-year term of probation for violating RPC 1.3 (neglect of a legal matter), RPC 1.4(b) (failure to explain a matter sufficient to allow a client to make informed decisions) and RPC 1.7(a)(1) (current-client conflict of interest).
In September 2009, Snell filed a lien against a hotel conglomerate on behalf of a construction company client for construction work the client had performed on a hotel in Wilsonville. A few months later, Snell agreed to represent a subcontractor on the same project and filed another construction lien against the hotel conglomerate on the subcontractor’s behalf. Thereafter, Snell sought to foreclose on the construction company’s lien. The construction company’s interest in the foreclosure proceeding were directly adverse to subcontractor’s interests, on whose behalf Snell filed an answer and cross claims. Insofar as Snell was required to contend for one on behalf of a current client that she was required to object to on behalf of another, Snell had a current-client conflict of interest. Snell failed to disclose this conflict to her subcontractor client until after she had completed her representation of the construction company, during which time, she failed to take any action to pursue the subcontractor client’s claim.
The stipulation recited that Snell had previously been reprimanded for a conflict of interest and had substantial experience in the practice of law. Mitigation included remorse and cooperation with the bar. Snell’s probation requires her to institute procedures to avoid conflicts going forward.
JOSEPH RAYMOND SANCHEZ
OSB #010090
Portland
One-year suspension
Effective March 31, 2015, the disciplinary board suspended Portland lawyer Joseph Raymond Sanchez for one year for violations of RPC 8.1(a)(1) (knowing false statement in a disciplinary matter) and RPC 8.4(a)(3) (dishonesty and misrepresentation).
Sanchez falsely claimed to have completed online continuing legal education courses in satisfaction of Oregon MCLE requirements. Sanchez also made false statements of material fact to disciplinary authorities investigating whether he had completed his Oregon MCLE. He had no prior disciplinary history.