Legal Ethics

Civil Rights Lawyer is Disbarred, Plans US Supreme Court Appeal

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A well-known civil rights attorney and sports agent was disbarred by the Washington Supreme Court today, based on what its written opinion described as a pattern of inappropriate conduct concerning client litigation and fees and other “deceptive” practices.

However, attorney Bradley Marshall says he has been wronged by a biased Washington State Bar investigation and vows to appeal his disbarment to the U.S. Supreme Court, reports the Seattle Times.

“I’ve done some unpopular things. As a result, I’ve become a target,” he tells the newspaper.

In its disbarment opinion today, the state supreme court recounts a litany of legal ethics violations. Among them:

“Mr. Marshall attempted to squeeze his clients for additional fees despite the flat fee agreement. One of these clients was forced to obtain her own counsel to defend herself once Mr. Marshall filed a lawsuit and a lien against her. He tried to bully his clients into settling their claims, despite their express desire to proceed to trial. He declined to defend them from that point on, demanding they accept the settlement or pay him more money.”

The court also says in its unanimous opinion that prior disciplinary cases against Marshall for similar conduct were an aggravating factor.

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