Reciprocal Suspension For Divorce Contempt

Idaho has reciprocally suspended an attorney based on a Washington State sanction imposed for misconduct in his own divorce

On August 10, 2015, the Idaho Supreme Court issued a Disciplinary Order suspending attorney David A. Goicoechea for one (1) year.  The Idaho Supreme Court’s Order followed a stipulated resolution of an Idaho State Bar reciprocal disciplinary proceeding.

 Mr. Goicoechea was admitted to practice law in Washington and Idaho and practiced law in Spokane, Washington.  On October 10, 2014, the Supreme Court of Washington entered an Order approving a stipulation to one (1) year suspension.  The Washington suspension was effective October 17, 2014.  In the Washington disciplinary case, Mr. Goicoechea stipulated to violations of the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) 8.4(c), 3.4(c), 8.4(j) and 8.4(d).  With the exception of RPC 8.4(j), those Washington rules correspond to the same Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct.

 The Washington disciplinary case related to Mr. Goicoechea and his ex-wife’s divorce case.  Mr. Goicoechea was found in contempt numerous times of court orders in the divorce case relating to spousal maintenance payments and his reporting requirements to the court.  The Washington disciplinary case acknowledged as a mitigating factor that Mr. Goicoechea lacked sufficient funds to fully comply with his financial obligations.

 Other than these proceedings, Mr. Goicoechea has no disciplinary history in Idaho or Washington.

  Mr. Goicoechea voluntarily did not practice law in Idaho since the date of his Washington suspension and the Stipulation provided for and the Idaho Supreme Court ordered that Mr. Goicoechea’s suspension in Idaho would be retroactive to October 17, 2014 and will last until October 17, 2015.

(Mike Frisch)