“Client Development”

The Idaho Supreme Court has censured an attorney

On February 6, 2025, the Idaho Supreme Court entered a Disciplinary Order publicly censuring Boise attorney W. Dustin Charters. The Idaho Supreme Court found that Mr. Charters violated I.R.P.C. 8.4(c) [Engaging in conduct involving deceit] and I.R.P.C. 8.4(d) [Engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice]. The Idaho Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Order followed a stipulated resolution of an Idaho State Bar disciplinary proceeding in which Mr. Charters admitted that he violated those Rules.

The formal charge case related to the following circumstances. Mr. Charters was formerly a partner at a Boise law firm (“Firm”). In August 2023, a new associate attorney, “A.N.,” joined the Firm. Mr. Charters served as A.N.’s mentor and supervised her work. In September 2023, Mr. Charters engaged in sexual relations with A.N. and a Firm legal assistant, “J.L.,” in the Firm’s office. After that incident, Mr. Charters offered compensation to both A.N. and J.L. if they did not report his conduct. A.N. and J.L. declined Mr. Charters’s compensation offers. Mr. Charters also offered to complete work that A.N. could then input as her own time and suggested to A.N. that she falsely bill work that he had completed for a client’s case as “client development.” Despite Mr. Charters’s offer and suggestion, A.N. did not falsely enter her time. On September 26, 2023, A.N. and J.L. reported Mr. Charters’s conduct to the Firm and his position was subsequently terminated.

(Mike Frisch)