Attorney Jeffery Hess of Seattle; repeat offender

The state of Washington presented Jeffery Alan Hess with a law license in 1976.

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

Jeff’s 1^st bite at the Attorney Misfit Apple Tree

1. Failed to communicate with client
2. Failed to provide competent representation (Dufus)
3. Engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice
4. Failed to inform clients about status of legal matter
5. Allowed for a default judgment to be taken against his clients
6. Advised clients to file divorce petition when they had no intention of divorcing

As a consequence of his misconduct, the apologists for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Washington State Supreme Court punished Jeff by gifting him with a complimentary 60-day suspension of his law license.

Jeff’s 2^nd bite at the Attorney Misfit Apple Tree

• Engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice
• Knowingly disobeyed a court order

In a divorce case, Jeff filed a statement of evidence with the court wherein he identified 34 witnesses to be called on his client’s behalf at trial. On the morning of the trial, the judge spoke about the expected length of the trial, indicating she had reserved two afternoons for the trial. Opposing counsel told the judge it would take longer than two afternoons because he had seven (7) witnesses and that Jeff had “identified, I think 37 witnesses he intends to call.”

In response, Jeff told the court “I don’t intend to call 36 witnesses, Your Honor.” At that point, Jeff absolutely knew that his client was not going to contest custody, but he failed to inform the court of said face, thereby allowing for opposing counsel to waste time preparing for a 33 or 4 day trial.

Subsequently, opposing counsel asked for sanctions to be imposed against Jeff for failing to notify him that there would no trial. The trial judge the issued an order awarding a judgment for $1,345 in sanctions which were lodged against Jeff and his client.

As a consequence of his misconduct, the apologists for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Washington State Supreme Court punished Jeff by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.

As we speak (January 2013), Jeff practices at 4742 42^nd Avenue SW in Seattle, Washington.

Warning: Jeff does not carry legal malpractice insurance