In re the Disciplinary Proceeding Against Heard

In this case we review the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Disciplinary Board’s (the Board) unanimous recommendation of a two-year suspension of an attorney’s license to practice law. The recommendation is based on two principal areas of misconduct— the attorney’s mishandling of a client’s personal injury settlement and his sexual exploitation of that client.

James Heard negotiated a settlement on behalf of his client during the handling of a personal injury matter. He evaluated the case at more than $150,000, and retained the only cash in the settlement—$50,000 in insurance proceeds.…