Attorney David Simmonds of Seattle; ethical leprechaun

The state of Washington presented David Martin Simmonds with a law license in 1976 after he graduated from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Law School.

The Washington State Bar found Dave guilty of the following misconduct.

In one matter, Dave purchased a diamond ring and setting for $118,300. With Dave’s knowledge and agreement, the Bellevue jeweler used an Ohio address for “shipment” on the receipt to avoid payment of sales tax of $10,410.40, but the jewelry was not shipped out of state.

Subsequently, Dave sued the jeweler after he received a report indicating that the diamond was of an inferior grade. Dave’s lawsuit was quickly dismissed with prejudice by the trial court. Dave then appealed the matter to the Court of Appeals. During oral argument, an appellate judge asked whether Dave if had reported the failure to pay tax to the Bar Association or made any subsequent payment of tax to the State Department of Revenue after the purchasing the ring.

Dave’s conduct as aforementioned was deemed to involve fraud, deceit, dishonesty or misrepesenation.

Because of his misconduct, the enablers for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Washington Supreme Court punished Dave by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.

As we speak (November 2016), Dave practices at 1001 Fourth Avenue in Seattle, Washington.

BEWARE: Dave does not carry legal malpractice insurance