In re the Disciplinary Proceeding Against Boelter

Attorney Arthur H. Boelter appeals the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Disciplinary Board’s recommendation to this court that he receive a six-month suspension from the practice of law due to three counts of misconduct. The alleged misconduct arose out of a fee dispute between Boelter and a client, Robert Withey. The Board found that Boelter threatened to reveal Withey’s confidences in a suit to collect fees and falsely claimed that a disclosable tape recording of a conference with Withey existed. It also found that the amount Withey was billed for the legal services was unreasonable.…