Washington State Sanctions
The Washington State Bar News has a summary of recent sanctions
Justin C. Osemene (WSBA No. 28082, admitted 1998) of Mill Creek, WA, was reprimanded, effective 3/12/2024, by order of the chief hearing officer. Chris Chang acted as disciplinary counsel. Anne I. Seidel represented respondent.
The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 3.5 (Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal).
Osemene stipulated to reprimand for violating the Rules of Professional Conduct by communicating ex parte with three Washington Supreme Court justices regarding a case pending before the Washington Supreme Court.
Decision documents: Order Approving Stipulation; Stipulation to Reprimand; and Notice of Reprimand.
Respondent had filed a wrongful foreclosure complaint against his homeowners association. After losing below, he had mailed packages to Chief Justice Gonzales and Justices Whitener and Yu asking that they intervene to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
He did not copy opposing counsel due to his “good faith but erroneous belief” that he was not obligated to do so as a pro se litigant.
Hugo Cornelius Johnson IV (WSBA No. 45342, admitted 2012) of Seattle, WA, resigned in lieu of discipline, effective 5/16/2024. The lawyer agrees that they are aware of the alleged misconduct in disciplinary counsel’s Statement of Alleged Misconduct and rather than defend against the allegations, they wish to permanently resign from membership in the Association. Claire Carden acted as disciplinary counsel. Hugo Cornelius Johnson IV represented themselves.
The Statement of Alleged Misconduct reflects the following violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct: 8.4(b) (Criminal Act), 8.4(g) (Discriminatory Act), 8.4(i) (Moral Turpitude, Corruption or Disregard of Rule of Law), 8.4(j) (Violate a Court Order), 8.4(n) (Conduct Demonstrating Unfitness to Practice Law).
Hugo Cornelius Johnson IV’s alleged misconduct includes: 1) committing the crime of attempted hate crime in violation of RCW 9A.28.020 and 9A.36.080(l)(a)-(c); 2) committing assault in the fourth degree – sexual motivation in violation of RCW 9A.36.041 and RCW 9.94A.030(48); 3) committing simple assault in violation of 18 U.S.C. §113(a)(5); 4) willfully violating a court order directing respondent not to consume alcohol.
Decision document: Resignation Form of Hugo Cornelius Johnson IV (ELC 9.3(b)).
The decision document recounts that the simple assault involving a guilty plea and that charges of interference with a flight crew members and attendants were dismissed.
The attempt hate crime “occured immediately after a firm sponsored social event” and that the victimes were all law firm employees. (Mike Frisch)