In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Huynh

555 P.3d 398, 3 Wash. 3d 648

• Court: Washington Supreme Court
• Decided: September 5, 2024
• Docket: 202,147-6
• Status: Published

Opinion

FILE THIS OPINION WAS FILED FOR RECORD AT 8 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

IN CLERK’S OFFICE SUPREME COURT, STATE OF WASHINGTON SARAH R. PENDLETON SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 ACTING SUPREME COURT CLERK

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

In the Matter of the Disciplinary ) Proceeding Against ) No. 202147-6 ) THI ANH HUYNH, ) EN BANC an Attorney at Law (Bar No. 34947) ) ) ______________________________ ) Filed: September 5, 2024

MONTOYA-LEWIS, J.— In this attorney discipline proceeding, Thi Anh

Huynh was charged with numerous counts of misconduct, including false

representation, theft, and other misconduct involving dishonesty. The hearing

officer recommended disbarment, and the Washington State Bar Association

(WSBA) Disciplinary Board (Board) unanimously affirmed. Huynh challenges the

disbarment recommendation, arguing a number of the hearing officer’s findings of

fact and conclusions of law lack adequate support and his due process rights were

violated. Huynh asks this court to reverse the Board’s decision and reject the

disbarment recommendation.

We adopt the Board’s recommendation and disbar Huynh. The hearing

officer’s findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence, the conclusions of In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

law are supported by those findings, and Huynh waived his right to raise a statutory

defense to theft. On the record as a whole, Huynh misappropriated client and

investor funds, attempted to conceal the thefts, and engaged in other intentional

conduct involving dishonesty; thus, disbarment is a proportionate sanction.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

A. Factual Background

Huynh was admitted to the practice of law in Washington in 2004, and he has

no record of prior discipline. He eventually became the managing partner of Intrepid

Law Group LLC. Around July 2016, Huynh and Intrepid Law Group began

representing Joseph Pham in Pham v. Nguyen. The case involved two

condominiums located at 606 Post Avenue in Seattle that were partly owned by

Pham.

Pham also owned an apartment building at 4200 Letitia Avenue in Seattle.

Pham and Huynh had a mutual family friend, Vinh Lam; he was the individual who

introduced Pham and Huynh. 1 Lam and Huynh became business partners, and

together they wanted to purchase the 4200 Letitia Avenue building, but they did not

complete the transaction. In January 2016, Huynh created 4200 Letitia LLC to help

with the purchase of the building. In August 2017, Huynh arranged for Pham to

1 Many of Huynh’s explanations for the transactions at issue here rely on the close relationship and trust established between Pham and Lam. 2 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

quitclaim 4200 Letitia Avenue to 4200 Letitia LLC.

Huynh’s misconduct is explained as a series of three events: (1) a loan Huynh

arranged from Tracy Takenaka and Brian Rounds to Pham, (2) an investment in

Green Sky Productions LLC that Huynh arranged for Takenaka and Rounds, and (3)

a loan Huynh arranged from Pat McGrew to Pham.

1. Loan from Takenaka and Rounds to Pham

Huynh was involved in a loan transaction between married couple Takenaka

and Rounds, and Pham. Takenaka and Rounds saw this loan as a promising business

opportunity because they would be able to earn interest. The hearing officer found

Huynh engaged in misconduct in this transaction by obtaining the loan without

Pham’s knowledge and using the proceeds for his own purposes.

In September 2017, Huynh arranged a $50,000 loan from Takenaka and

Rounds to Pham. The loan was secured by the 4200 Letitia Avenue property, a

property owned by Pham and managed by Huynh. Pham asserts that Huynh did not

inform him about this loan and that Pham did not know Takenaka or Rounds.

Takenaka similarly testified that she did not know Pham, but she understood he was

the individual she and her husband were loaning the money to and he was the owner

of the 4200 Letitia Avenue property.

Huynh did not disclose his involvement with 4200 Letitia LLC to Takenaka

or Rounds. Later that month, Huynh deposited a $50,000.00 check from Takenaka

3 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

for the loan to Pham in Huynh’s trust account. Two days later, Huynh transferred

the full amount to his operating account. Huynh was not entitled to those transfer

funds, but he used a portion of the loan money to pay $21,659.66 of his and his

mother’s credit card bills.

In 2018, Cathay Bank began to pursue foreclosure on an earlier loan secured

by 4200 Letitia Avenue. Huynh asked an Intrepid Law Group employee, Shelley

Guidry, to handle the refinancing to avoid foreclosure, and he remained involved in

the decision-making throughout the refinancing process in 2019. Guidry arranged

to pay off the Cathay Bank loan and another loan in foreclosure, but she informed

Huynh that Takenaka and Rounds would likely not be repaid for their loan from the

refinance. Guidry informed Huynh that for the refinance to take place, liens on 4200

Letitia Avenue had to be subordinated. Guidry then informed Takenaka about the

subordination agreement, but Takenaka and Rounds never signed the agreement.

Huynh executed a full reconveyance deed removing Takenaka and Rounds’s

interest in 4200 Letitia Avenue to allow the loan to close, and the reconveyance deed

was then recorded. Consequently, Takenaka and Rounds lost the security for their

$50,000 loan. Takenaka and Rounds allege that Huynh never informed either of

them about the reconveyance deed, which Huynh denies. The reconveyance deed

stated that Takenaka and Rounds provided Huynh with “a written request to

reconvey, reciting that the obligations secured by the Deed of Trust ha[d] been fully

4 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

satisfied or provided for.” Ex. A-150. However, Huynh has admitted that neither

Takenaka nor Rounds provided him with “a written request to reconvey.” Clerk’s

Papers (CP) at 33, 48-49.

2. Investment by Takenaka and Rounds in Green Sky Productions

During the same time period, Huynh was involved in an investment

transaction with Takenaka and Rounds, where the couple invested in a company

managed by Huynh with the understanding that the money would be used to get the

business going. The hearing officer found Huynh engaged in misconduct in this

transaction by using Takenaka and Rounds’s investment funds for purposes

unrelated to the company and providing them with a false accounting of their

investment.

Huynh arranged for Takenaka and Rounds to invest $445,000 in Green Sky

Productions LLC, a company managed by Huynh. Huynh created that company

with a goal of developing an operation for the cultivation, production, and processing

of cannabis, and Takenaka and Rounds were aware of this goal.

In 2017, Takenaka and Rounds wired $445,000 to Huynh’s trust account.

Huynh transferred

• $45,000 to his operating account, which had a negative balance; • $32,400 to Pacific Rim Property Investments, an entirely separate entity for which Intrepid Law Group is listed as the registered agent and Huynh is listed as the governor; and • $75,000 to partially repay a loan that Ross Skocilich (an individual unrelated to Green Sky Productions) made to Pham. 5 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

In 2018, Takenaka requested an accounting of the investment funds, and

Huynh provided a written accounting that did not appear to explicitly include any of

the above transfers. Huynh did not disclose those transfers to Takenaka or Rounds

through any other means.

3. Loan from McGrew to Pham

Also in 2018, Huynh was involved in another loan transaction between

McGrew and Pham, where McGrew understood his loan to Pham to be for the

purpose of a real estate project while Pham waited for funds from the sale of a

different property. Pham asserts he knew nothing about this loan. The hearing

officer found Huynh engaged in misconduct in this transaction by failing to disclose

conflicts of interest and using the loan proceeds for his own purposes.

Huynh arranged a $200,000 loan from former client McGrew to current client

Pham. McGrew accepted an assignment of proceeds purporting to give McGrew the

rights to proceeds from the anticipated sale of one of Pham’s properties, 606 Post

Avenue. The assignment of proceeds acted as security for the rights of the proceeds.

Huynh did not disclose any conflicts of interest to or obtain any conflict

waivers from Pham or McGrew. Huynh deposited a $200,000 check from McGrew

in Huynh’s trust account for the loan to Pham. Over the course of the next two

weeks, Huynh transferred $180,000 of Pham’s loan proceeds to Huynh’s personal 6 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

account and to other individuals and entities. For instance, Huynh transferred

$100,000 of the McGrew loan to Huynh’s personal bank account. Huynh alleges he

made the transfer to repay a separate loan of approximately $100,000 that Huynh’s

wife had made to Lam (a mutual family friend of Huynh and Pham) for the purpose

of one of Lam’s businesses, TEL Enterprises. Huynh claims that Pham authorized

Lam to do whatever he chose with the McGrew loan funds, thus asserting the transfer

to Huynh’s wife was permitted. Pham asserts that he did not even know about the

McGrew loan and therefore did not provide any authorization, but Huynh denies

this.

B. Procedural History

In 2019, Guidry filed a grievance against Huynh on behalf of Pham. In 2021,

the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) filed a formal complaint, charging Huynh

with the following 12 counts of misconduct:

Count 1: By obtaining the Takenaka/Rounds loan without Pham’s knowledge and/or by misrepresenting to Takenaka and Rounds that Pham had agreed to the loan, [Huynh] violated RPC 8.4(c), RPC(i), and/or RPC 8.4(n). Count 2: By obtaining the Takenaka/Rounds loan and using the proceeds for [Huynh]’s own purposes without (1) providing Pham with anything in writing regarding the transaction, (2) advising Pham in writing to seek, and providing Pham a reasonable opportunity to seek, independent counsel, and (3) obtaining Pham’s informed written consent to the transaction, [Huynh] violated RPC 1.8(a). Count 3: By using the Takenaka/Rounds loan proceeds for [Huynh]’s own use, [Huynh] violated RPC 1.15A(b), RPC 8.4(b) (by committing the crime of theft as defined in RCW 9A.56.020), RPC 8.4(c), and/or RPC 8.4(n). 7 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

Count 4: By drafting the promissory note and deed of trust for the Takenaka/Rounds loan and using them to obtain funds from Takenaka and Rounds for [Huynh]’s own business and personal use, [Huynh] violated RPC 8.4(b) (by committing the crime of forgery as defined in RCW 9A.60.020), RPC 8.4(c), RPC 8.4(i), and/or RPC 8.4(n). Count 5: By executing the Full Reconveyance Deed falsely stating that Takenaka and Rounds had made a written request to reconvey, [Huynh] violated RPC 8.4(b) (by committing the crime of false representation concerning title as defined in RCW 9.38.020), RPC 8.4(c), RPC 8.4(i), and/or RPC 8.4(n). Count 6: By using the investment funds of Takenaka and Rounds for [Huynh]’s personal use and/or other purposes unrelated to Green Sky Productions, [Huynh] violated RPC 8.4(b) (by committing the crime of theft as defined in RCW 9A.56.020), RPC 8.4(c), RPC 8.4(i), and/or RPC 8.4(n). Count 7: By providing Takenaka and Rounds with a false accounting of their $445,000 investment, [Huynh] violated RPC 8.4(c). Count 8: By representing McGrew in the loan transaction in which another client, Pham, was directly adverse, [Huynh] violated RPC 1.7(a)(1). Count 9: By representing Pham in the 606 Post Avenue Litigation when there was a significant risk that the representation would be materially limited by [Huynh]’s responsibilities to McGrew or by [Huynh]’s personal interest in using the property as security and a source of repayment for the McGrew loan, [Huynh] violated RPC 1.7(a)(2). Count 10: By obtaining the McGrew loan in Pham’s name and using the funds for [Huynh]’s own purposes without (1) providing Pham with anything in writing regarding the transaction, (2) advising Pham to seek, or giving Pham a reasonable opportunity to seek, independent counsel, and (3) obtaining Pham’s informed written consent to the transaction, [Huynh] violated RPC 1.8(a). Count 11: By using $180,000 of the $200,000 McGrew loan for [Huynh]’s personal use or other purposes unrelated to Pham, [Huynh] violated RPC 1.15A(b), RPC 8.4(b) (by committing the crime of theft as defined in RCW 9A.56.020), RPC 8.4(c), RPC 8.4(i), and/or RPC 8.4(n). Count 12: By drafting the promissory note and Assignment of Proceeds of Sale from Litigation for the McGrew loan and using them 8 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

to obtain funds from McGrew for [Huynh]’s own business and personal use, [Huynh] violated RPC 8.4(b) (by committing the crime of forgery as defined in RCW 9A.60.020), RPC 8.4(c), RPC 8.4(i), and/or RPC 8.4(n).

Decision Papers (DP) at 1-3; CP at 34-42.

After a four-day hearing, the hearing officer concluded that ODC proved all

counts of misconduct, except counts 1, 4, and 12, by a clear preponderance of the

evidence. The hearing officer found that Huynh’s state of mind was intentional

and/or knowing with respect to all sustained counts and that Huynh caused injury,

serious injury, or potentially serious injury to clients and third parties. The hearing

officer found three aggravating factors: (1) dishonest or selfish motive, (2) multiple

offenses, and (3) substantial experience in the practice of law. The hearing officer

found only one mitigating factor: absence of a disciplinary record. Ultimately, the

hearing officer recommended disbarment. The Board unanimously adopted the

hearing officer’s disbarment recommendation. Huynh appeals.

ANALYSIS

“We have plenary authority over, and hold the ultimate responsibility for,

determining the nature of lawyer discipline.” In re Disciplinary Proc. Against

McKean, 148 Wn.2d 849, 861, 64 P.3d 1226 (2003) (citing In re Disciplinary Proc.

Against Tasker, 141 Wn.2d 557, 565, 9 P.3d 822 (2000)). However, we have

delegated certain responsibilities to the WSBA. Id. (citing In re Disciplinary Proc.

Against Heard, 136 Wn.2d 405, 413-14, 963 P.2d 818 (1998)). The WSBA must

9 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

prove each count of misconduct by a clear preponderance of the evidence, which

requires greater certainty than “‘simple preponderance’” but less than “‘beyond [a]

reasonable doubt.’” In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Poole, 156 Wn.2d 196, 209,

125 P.3d 954 (2006) (alteration in original) (quoting In re Disciplinary Proc. Against

Allotta, 109 Wn.2d 787, 792, 748 P.2d 628 (1988)). Regarding the disciplinary

process, a hearing officer makes findings of fact, conclusions of law, and initial

recommendations to the Board, who then reviews those recommendations and

makes a decision that can be appealed to this court. McKean, 148 Wn.2d at 861

(citing Heard, 136 Wn.2d at 413-14).

A. Substantial Evidence Challenges to Findings of Fact

We give great weight to the hearing officer’s findings of fact. Poole, 156

Wn.2d at 208 (citing In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Guarnero, 152 Wn.2d 51, 58,

93 P.3d 166 (2004)). “Unchallenged findings of fact are treated as verities on

appeal.” In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Marshall, 160 Wn.2d 317, 330, 157 P.3d

859 (2007). We will uphold challenged findings as long as they are supported by

substantial evidence. Id. “Substantial evidence exists if the record contains

‘evidence in sufficient quantum to persuade a fair-minded, rational person of the

truth of a declared premise.’” In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Bonet, 144 Wn.2d

502, 511, 29 P.3d 1242 (2001) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting In re

Welfare of Snyder, 85 Wn.2d 182, 185-86, 532 P.2d 278 (1975)). Where there is

10 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

more than one reasonable interpretation of the evidence, “‘it is substantial if it

reasonably supports the finding[, a]nd circumstantial evidence is as good as direct

evidence.’” In re Disciplinary Proc. Against McGrath, 174 Wn.2d 813, 818, 280

P.3d 1091 (2012) (quoting Rogers Potato Serv., LLC v. Countrywide Potato, LLC,

152 Wn.2d 387, 391, 97 P.3d 745 (2004)). Specifically, a lawyer’s knowledge and

intent may be inferred from the circumstances. In re Disciplinary Proc. Against

Placide, 190 Wn.2d 402, 441, 414 P.3d 1124 (2018); RPC 1.0A(f). Last, we do not

judge the credibility of witnesses and instead rely on the evaluation by the hearing

officer. In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Miller, 149 Wn.2d 262, 277, 66 P.3d 1069

(2003); see also Allotta, 109 Wn.2d at 793-94.

Huynh assigns error to a number of factual findings for lack of substantial

evidence. Huynh’s assignments of error include the following, grouped by counts

of misconduct:

FOF [(Finding of Count 3 (Theft of Takenaka/Rounds Loan Proceeds) Fact)] 12-16 FOF 21-24 Count 5 (False Representation Concerning Title) FOF 28-30 Count 6 (Theft of Takenaka/Rounds Investment Funds) FOF 27, 33, 35, and 42 Count 7 (False Accounting of Takenaka/Rounds Investment Funds) FOF 2, 37, and 60-61 Counts 8 and 9 (Conflicts of Interest) FOF 43-56 and 58 Count 11 (Theft of McGrew Loan Proceeds)

Appellant’s Br. at 3. As explained below, we find that substantial evidence supports

each of the hearing officer’s challenged findings of fact because the evidence is

sufficient to persuade a fair-minded, rational person of the truth of the declared 11 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

premise. See Bonet, 144 Wn.2d at 511.

1. Findings Related to Count 3 (Theft of Takenaka/Rounds Loan Proceeds)

FOF 12 and 15: Huynh argues that FOF 12—Huynh “did not provide the

Takenaka/Rounds loan proceeds to Pham”—is contradicted by FOF 15—ODC

“has not proved by a clear preponderance of the evidence that Pham never

received the Takenaka/Rounds loan proceeds.”2 DP at 6-7. Exhibit A-120 shows

a $50,000 deposit in September 2017 in Huynh’s trust account and Exhibit A-121

shows a transfer of $50,000 to Huynh’s operating account two days later. FOF

15 is based on evidence that in November 2017, $50,000—the amount of the

Takenaka/Rounds loan—was transferred from Huynh’s trust account to Pham.

Ex. R129. But the hearing officer also found in FOF 13 that in September 2017,

before that transfer, Huynh misappropriated a portion of the Takenaka/Rounds

loan proceeds. DP at 6. The evidence that Huynh misappropriated the funds in

September 2017 supports the finding in FOF 12 that Huynh failed to provide the

proceeds to Pham. Even if a lawyer were to repay misappropriated funds,

reimbursement of such funds does not eviscerate a lawyer’s misconduct of

misappropriating the funds in the first instance. In re Disciplinary Proc. Against

2 Huynh also assigns error to FOF 15, but he made no argument regarding it. In any event, FOF 15 is favorable to Huynh because the hearing officer found that ODC did not meet its burden of proof as to that fact. DP at 7. 12 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

Schwimmer, 153 Wn.2d 752, 761, 108 P.3d 761 (2005).

FOF 13 and 16: Huynh argues that FOF 13—Huynh “had no entitlement to

the Takenaka/Rounds loan proceeds”—is contradicted by FOF 16—Huynh

“knew that [Huynh]’s interests as the beneficiary of the Takenaka/Rounds loan

were adverse to those of Pham, who was legally responsible for the loan.” DP at

6-7. It appears the hearing officer was using the term “beneficiary” in a colloquial

manner, to mean Huynh benefited from the loan because he spent the money for

his own purposes, and that is why Huynh’s interests were adverse to Pham’s. See

DP at 7. This interpretation is supported by the context of the rest of FOF 16,

which is unchallenged, and states that Huynh failed to disclose to Pham in writing

that Huynh obtained the Takenaka/Rounds loan on Pham’s behalf and that Huynh

used the loan proceeds for his own purposes. Id. Moreover, the hearing officer

found in FOF 16, and Huynh did not challenge, that Huynh failed to obtain

Pham’s informed written consent or advise Pham in writing of the desirability of

seeking independent counsel regarding Huynh’s use of the loan proceeds for his

own purposes. Id.

Nevertheless, Huynh focuses on the use of the word “beneficiary” in FOF

16 and argues that as the beneficiary of the loan proceeds, he was entitled to use

the funds. But Pham testified that he never obtained the Takenaka/Rounds loan

13 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

for Huynh to use the money for Huynh’s own purposes. 2 Verbatim Rep. of Proc.

(VRP) at 258; see also Ex. A-113. And Huynh fails to cite anywhere in the record

that disproves such testimony. The lack of Pham’s permission to use loan

proceeds for Huynh’s own interests is consistent across both findings of fact and

in light of the record, a fair-minded, rational person would not be convinced that

the hearing officer’s use of the word “beneficiary” indicated unfettered

permission for Huynh to use the loan proceeds for his own purposes.

FOF 14: Huynh assigns error to FOF 14, where the hearing officer found that

Huynh used the Takenaka/Rounds loan proceeds for his own purposes and that he

did so knowingly and intentionally. DP at 7. But Huynh does not make any

arguments in support of the challenge, making it a verity on appeal. Marshall, 160

Wn.2d at 330.

2. Findings Related to Count 5 (False Representation Concerning Title)

FOF 21: Huynh challenges the finding that he “executed a full reconveyance

deed removing Takenaka and Rounds’s lien on 4200 Letitia Avenue” and purports

it is legally incorrect because the deed must be recorded in order for the lien to be

removed. DP at 8-9. But FOF 21 does not state that Huynh’s execution of the deed

triggered the lien’s removal; rather, it indicates that Huynh executed the deed for the

purpose of removing the lien. See id. Huynh admitted the latter. CP at 48 (Huynh

14 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

“executed a full reconveyance deed. [Huynh] admits that the purpose was for

releasing the interest of Takenaka and Rounds in 4200 Letitia Avenue.”). Huynh

also contends that Guidry, the Intrepid Law Group staff member responsible for

handling the refinance, offered questionable testimony and her lack of credibility

and motive to “get paid” through the loan closure does not constitute substantial

evidence. Appellant’s Br. at 37. But we do not reevaluate the credibility of

witnesses. Miller, 149 Wn.2d at 277; Allotta, 109 Wn.2d at 793-94. Huynh

misstates the meaning of the hearing officer’s finding and questions Guidry’s

credibility yet fails to provide any evidence to the contrary, so Huynh has not shown

that the hearing officer erred in finding that Huynh executed the reconveyance deed

to remove Takenaka and Rounds’s lien on the property.

FOF 22: Huynh challenges the finding that his testimony is not credible that

he executed the reconveyance deed with the understanding that Takenaka and

Rounds would be paid from the refinance. DP at 9. Huynh shifts the focus to

Guidry’s lack of credibility and asserts that her selfish motives do not constitute

substantial evidence. But again, this “court does not attempt to substitute its

evaluation of the credibility of witnesses for that of the hearing officer.” Allotta,

109 Wn.2d at 793-94. Guidry testified that she told Huynh that Takenaka and

Rounds would not get paid out of the refinance, and this testimony was substantiated

by messages between Guidry and Huynh on March 2, 2019, where Huynh

15 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

acknowledged that Takenaka and Rounds would “‘not [be] getting paid out of refi.’”

2 VRP at 288-89; Ex. A-143. Huynh fails to mention that message. Thus, we have

no reason to question the hearing officer’s judgment regarding the credibility of

these witnesses and the finding is supported by substantial evidence.

FOF 23 and 24: Huynh challenges FOF 24 that he “intentionally and

fraudulently executed the Takenaka/Rounds full reconveyance deed,” and contends

that “[n]othing in this FOF recites the elements of the RCW that requires intent.”

DP at 10; Appellant’s Br. at 34-36. A lawyer’s intent may be inferred from the facts.

Placide, 190 Wn.2d at 441. Also, Huynh does not specify which section of the

Revised Code of Washington (RCW) he refers to, nor does he cite to any authority

requiring the FOF to recite such elements. To the extent he refers to RCW 9.38.020,

which is cited as part of count 5, the statute uses the language “maliciously or

fraudulently” as it relates to intent but does not include any language requiring a

hearing officer to state such elements in the findings of fact. Nevertheless, FOF 24

uses the language “fraudulently,” DP at 10, as consistent with RCW 9.38.020, and

such a finding is supported by the record. Huynh argues that Takenaka’s

testimony—that she never provided Huynh a written or oral request to reconvey and

never had any communication with him about the reconveyance deed before he

executed it—does not address his fraudulent intent. But Guidry also testified that

Huynh directed her to prepare the reconveyance deed and record it, despite Huynh

16 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

admitting that Takenaka and Rounds would “not [be] getting paid out of refi” and

without Huynh seeing any request for reconveyance from Takenaka and Rounds. 2

VRP at 291-92; Ex. A-143; 3 VRP at 513.

Huynh contends that Guidry and Pham met privately to fraudulently record

the reconveyance deed without his knowledge, but the hearing officer found that this

alleged scheme to record the reconveyance without Huynh’s knowledge was not

credible in FOF 25. 3 VRP at 542-43; DP at 10. Huynh did not challenge FOF 25,

and it is therefore a verity on appeal. Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at 330. As a result of

Huynh directing staff to execute the reconveyance for Takenaka and Rounds, despite

never receiving a request to do so from Takenaka and Rounds, we affirm the hearing

officer’s finding that Huynh fraudulently executed the deed as supported by

substantial evidence. See McGrath, 174 Wn.2d at 818 (“[C]ircumstantial evidence

is as good as direct evidence.”); Placide, 190 Wn.2d at 441 (intent may be inferred

from the circumstances).

Huynh assigns error to FOF 23 in conjunction with FOF 24, where the hearing

officer found that Huynh executed a false reconveyance deed. DP at 9-10. But

Huynh does not address any portion of FOF 23 or make any arguments in support of

the challenge, making it a verity on appeal. Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at 330.

3. Findings Related to Count 6 (Theft of Takenaka/Rounds Investment Funds)

FOF 28, 29, and 30: Huynh argues the findings described in FOF 28, 29, and 17 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

30, regarding a number of financial transactions found to be unrelated to Green Sky

Productions, were not disallowed. DP at 11. He challenges the hearing officer’s

reliance on bank statements as substantial evidence, alleging that a rational person

would not have enough information to conclude the transfers were unrelated to

Green Sky Productions. But the record provides other evidence supporting these

findings, which the hearing officer cited as well.

As for FOF 28—involving Huynh’s $45,000 transfer of the Takenaka/Rounds

investment funds from his trust account to his operating account on October 12,

2017—Huynh admitted that the day of the transfer, the operating account had a

negative balance due to an overdraft. CP at 50; 1 VRP at 54. In addition to Huynh’s

admission, Exhibit A-133 is a bank statement showing that on October 12, 2017,

there was a transfer of $45,000, which restored a positive balance to Huynh’s

operating account. A fair-minded, rational person would be persuaded that such a

transfer was for his own purposes—to restore his bank account—and not related to

Green Sky Productions. See Bonet, 144 Wn.2d at 511; see also McGrath, 174 Wn.2d

at 818 (where more than one reasonable interpretation of evidence exists, evidence

is substantial if it reasonably supports the finding).

As for FOF 29—involving Huynh’s $32,400 disbursement of the

Takenaka/Rounds investment funds from his trust account to Pacific Rim Property

Investments—Huynh testified that Pacific Rim Property Investments was an entity

18 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

to hold real property owned by Huynh’s brother-in-law and managed by Huynh and

that it did not hold property related to cannabis business, which was the purpose of

Green Sky Productions. 3 VRP at 395; 4 VRP at 570-71; Ex. A-127. Huynh’s

acknowledgement that his disbursement was to an unrelated company, absent

evidence that this was allowed, provides substantial evidence that the use of the

Takenaka/Rounds investment funds was for unrelated, unauthorized purposes.

As for FOF 30—involving Huynh’s two disbursements totaling $75,000 of

the Takenaka/Rounds investment funds from the trust account to Skocilich—Huynh

testified that these two disbursements were “to service the interest on a loan that Mr.

Pham had obtained from Ross Skocilich.” 1 VRP at 54-55. Nothing in the record

shows that Skocilich had any connection to Green Sky Productions. CP at 51.

Huynh thought, based on purported representations by Pham, that part of the

Skocilich loan was being used for Green Sky Productions. 3 VRP at 535; 4 VRP at

568-69. But Pham never corroborated this. Moreover, Huynh testified that half of

the Skocilich loan funds went to Pham and the other half went to repay a different

loan Pham obtained, which did not appear to be related to Green Sky Productions.

3 VRP at 418-19, 466; 1 VRP at 196-97. Based on the breadth of evidence, we find

that it was reasonable for the hearing officer to find that the Skocilich disbursements

were ultimately unrelated to Green Sky Productions and therefore disallowed. See

19 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

also McGrath, 174 Wn.2d at 818.3

4. Findings Related to Count 7 (False Accounting of Takenaka/Rounds Investment Funds)

FOF 27 and 42: Regarding FOF 27—Huynh “maintained a ledger” for the

Takenaka/Rounds investment transactions—and FOF 42—Huynh “maintained a

ledger” for McGrew loan transactions, Huynh contends that exhibits A-135 and A-

178 are not “ledgers,” but rather “check register[s].” Appellant’s Br. at 30-32; DP

at 11, 13. RPC 1.15B(a)(2) requires a ledger to show individual transactions

containing the purpose, date, check number, and payor or payee for each transaction,

as well as the new balance after each transaction. Exhibit A-135 contains all of the

requirements for the Takenaka investment transactions and exhibit A-178 contains

all of the requirements for the McGrew loan transactions. Moreover, the hearing

officer’s findings are focused on Huynh maintaining documentation of transactions

related to the Takenaka/Rounds investment and the McGrew loan, and both cited

exhibits demonstrate this, which constitute substantial evidence.

FOF 33: Huynh assigns error to FOF 33, in conjunction with FOF 27 and 35,

3 Huynh makes further claims that the Green Sky Productions operating agreement permits loans to be used “‘for any Company purpose’” and to “‘perform any and all other acts or activities customary or incidental to the purpose of [the] Company,’” which, he argues, means that transactions did not need to be related to Green Sky Productions. Appellant’s Br. at 33-34 (quoting Ex. A-128). But based on this quoted language, the operating agreement seems to require financial actions to be related to the “purpose” of the “Company”: Green Sky Productions. Ex. A-128. Takenaka similarly understood the agreement to mean that the investment funds would not be used for purposes beyond Green Sky Productions. 1 VRP at 109. 20 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

where the hearing officer found that Huynh “never informed Takenaka and Rounds

that their investment funds would be used for purposes unrelated to Green Sky

Productions” and that Huynh intentionally used those funds for unrelated purposes.

DP at 12. But Huynh does not address any portion of FOF 33 or make any arguments

in support of the challenge, making it a verity on appeal. Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at

330.

FOF 35: Huynh challenges the finding that the Takenaka/Rounds investment

accounting was false. DP at 12. Huynh maintained a ledger for transactions related

to the Takenaka/Rounds investment (the “Huynh ledger”), which is exhibit A-135.

DP at 11. Later, at Takenaka’s request, he provided a different document (the

“Takenaka accounting”), which is exhibit A-139. DP at 12. Exhibit A-135 reflects

money transfers related to Green Sky Productions as well as other unrelated

transactions. According to Huynh, exhibit A-135 included disbursements to other

investors because it was not maintained for the benefit of only Green Sky

Productions, and thus, it was not the accounting Takenaka requested. But exhibit A-

135 expressly names “Tracy Tanaka [sic]” as the “Lender” and “Green Sky

Productions” as the “Buyer,” which would lead a fair-minded, rational person to

understand the document relates to the Takenaka/Rounds investment in Green Sky

Productions. See Bonet, 144 Wn.2d at 511. Huynh purports that per Takenaka’s

request for accounting of how investment funds were being used, he provided

21 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

Takenaka with exhibit A-139, an accounting he claims is not false and was

maintained for the benefit of Green Sky Productions. But the hearing officer found

in FOF 32 that exhibit A-139 did not list disbursements of the Takenaka/Rounds

investment funds to entities unrelated to Green Sky Productions—Intrepid Law

Group, Pacific Rim Property Investments, and Skocilich—and Huynh did not

otherwise disclose to Takenaka or Rounds that he disbursed their investment funds

to those entities. DP at 12. Huynh did not challenge FOF 32, making it a verity.

Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at 330. Huynh’s failure to disclose transactions unrelated to

Green Sky Productions constitutes substantial evidence of false accounting.

Additionally, Huynh challenges the hearing officer’s finding that Huynh

intentionally used the Takenaka/Rounds investment funds for purposes unrelated to

Green Sky Productions. DP at 12. Huynh failed to disclose more than $150,000

that was used to restore a positive balance to his bank account, to fund Pacific Rim

Investments, and to repay Skocilich—all purposes unrelated to Green Sky

Productions, as supported by substantial evidence in FOF 28-30 and as found in

unchallenged FOF 32. DP at 11-12. Given that a lawyer’s intent may be inferred

from the circumstances, Placide, 190 Wn.2d at 441, it was reasonable for the hearing

officer to find that Huynh intended to provide Takenaka and Rounds with false

accounting to conceal his unauthorized use of their investment funds. See McGrath,

174 Wn.2d at 818.

22 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

5. Findings Related to Counts 8 and 9 (Conflicts of Interest)

FOF 2 and 37: Huynh challenges the findings that he represented Pham in the

606 Post Avenue litigation through May 2018. DP at 4, 13. Even if another lawyer

came on to help, there is no evidence that Huynh ever withdrew as Pham’s counsel.

3 VRP at 440. On May 1, 2018, Pham stated, “I represent the Plaintiff, Mr. Pham”

in the 606 Post Avenue litigation. Ex. A-160. Pham also signed a “Stipulation and

Agreed Order to Arbitrate” as Pham’s lawyer in that matter, which was filed on May

18, 2017. Ex. A-109. We find that the written documentation that Huynh

represented Pham constitutes substantial evidence.

As for FOF 37, Huynh additionally challenges the finding that he falsely told

McGrew that Pham needed the loan for a real estate project; he claims this was a

true statement. DP at 13. McGrew’s understanding from Huynh was that the

purpose of McGrew’s loan was for one of Pham’s real estate projects while Pham

waited for payment from the sale of a different property. 1 VRP at 160-61; Ex. A-

160. But Pham asserts he knew nothing about this loan. 2 VRP at 259. In any event,

Huynh used a portion of the loan funds for purposes unrelated to Pham, as the

hearing officer found in FOF 43-56 and as unchallenged by Huynh. DP at 14-16.

For instance, Huynh disbursed $2,300.00 from McGrew loan to pay rent for Huynh’s

law office. 1 VRP at 64; 3 VRP at 454-55; Exs. A-165, A-178. Additionally, Huynh

made an unrelated loan payment of $2,635.42 on behalf of his brother-in-law. 1

23 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

VRP at 74-75; 3 VRP at 461; Exs. A-174, A-178. Also, Huynh disbursed $3,000.00

to Redspark LLC, a company unrelated to Pham, to provide the business with capital.

1 VRP at 75-76; 3 VRP at 461; Exs. A-175, A-178. Thus, circumstantial evidence

supports the finding that Huynh’s statement to McGrew that Pham needed the loan

for a real estate project was false because Huynh used the loan for various unrelated

purposes without benefit to Pham. See McGrath, 174 Wn.2d at 818.

FOF 60: Huynh challenges the hearing officer’s finding that McGrew’s belief

that Huynh represented McGrew as his lawyer in the loan to Pham was reasonable.

Appellant’s Br. at 51-52; DP at 16. The existence of an attorney-client relationship

“depends largely on the client’s subjective belief that it exists,” and such a “‘belief

must be reasonably formed based on the attending circumstances, including the

attorney’s words or actions.’” In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Haley, 157 Wn.2d

398, 408, 138 P.3d 1044 (2006) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting In re

Disciplinary Proc. Against Egger, 152 Wn.2d 393, 410-11, 98 P.3d 477 (2004)).

Huynh testified that when dealing with escrow transactions, he would have the buyer

and seller sign a document explaining how he was not their lawyer in the transaction.

3 VRP at 374-75. But Huynh did not provide McGrew with such a document or any

other written instructions that he was not McGrew’s lawyer in the loan transaction

with Pham, and he acknowledged that he regretted not making it clear that he did

not represent McGrew. 3 VRP at 442-43. Huynh’s acknowledgement that his lack

24 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

of clarity was problematic, along with the absence of any written indication to the

contrary, provide substantial evidence that McGrew’s belief was reasonable.

Huynh also challenges the finding that he previously represented McGrew in

another transaction. DP at 16. Huynh alleges that the disbursement document for

that transaction, exhibit A-186, was for Tradewinds Investments LLC, where he

provided escrow services as an escrow attorney. But the document provides an

“Attorney fee balance” and lists McGrew by name twice. Ex. A-186; see also 1

VRP at 170 (Tradewinds Investments consists of McGrew and his business partner).

McGrew also testified that the document was a repayment of a loan that he and his

business partner made to Huynh in a real estate deal, so the document showed the

amount they had in terms of the return on the investment, including attorney fees,

which were kept by Huynh. 1 VRP at 159-60. Likewise, McGrew testified that he

believed Huynh represented him in that transaction as McGrew called him, got him

involved in the transaction, served as his contact person, and met at the property

several times to go over the progress. Id.; see also Haley, 157 Wn.2d at 408 (client’s

belief must be reasonable based on the circumstances, including the attorney’s

actions). We therefore find there was substantial evidence that McGrew had a

subjective reasonable belief that Huynh represented him in both transactions.

FOF 61: Huynh challenges the finding that he “had a personal interest in using

Pham’s property at 606 Post Avenue as security and a source of repayment for the

25 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

McGrew loan.” DP at 17. He argues that exhibit A-162, cited by the hearing officer,

does not establish Huynh’s personal interest or explain “how or why Huynh had any

personal interest in the property.” Appellant’s Br. at 52. Exhibit A-162 is an

assignment of proceeds agreement between Pham and McGrew, assigning Pham’s

right, title, and interest in the 606 Post Avenue property to McGrew and permitting

Huynh to withhold Pham’s funds to repay McGrew for the loan. Although that

exhibit may be insufficient to establish Huynh’s personal interest in and of itself, the

hearing officer also found in FOF 44-554 that Huynh used a significant amount of

the McGrew loan funds for his own benefit. See, e.g., Exs. A-164, A-178, A-179

(Huynh transferred $100,000 of McGrew loan from Huynh’s trust account to

personal account); 1 VRP at 64; 3 VRP at 454-55; Exs. A-165, A-178 (Huynh

disbursed $2,300 from McGrew loan to pay rent for Huynh’s law office). Moreover,

Huynh did not challenge the remainder of FOF 61 that he did not disclose any

potential conflicts of interest to McGrew or Pham. DP at 17. Based on

circumstantial evidence, it is reasonable for the hearing officer to conclude Huynh

had a personal interest in using Pham’s property as security to be able to repay the

loan to McGrew. See McGrath, 174 Wn.2d at 818.

6. Findings Related to Count 11 (Theft of McGrew Loan Proceeds)

FOF 43: Huynh challenges FOF 43—that “Pham did not authorize [Huynh]

4 As discussed below, FOF 44-55 are also supported by substantial evidence. 26 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

to use McGrew loan funds to repay a loan to Lam.” DP at 14. McGrew believed,

based on communications with Huynh, that the purpose of his loan to Pham was for

one of Pham’s real estate projects. 1 VRP at 160-61; Ex. A-160. As discussed above

in the analysis of FOF 37, Huynh used the loan funds for purposes unrelated to Pham.

DP at 14-16 (regarding FOF 43-56). For instance, as explained in FOF 43, and as

unchallenged by Huynh, Huynh transferred $100,000 of the McGrew loan to

Huynh’s personal bank account. Exs. A-164, A-178-A-179. Huynh claims he made

the transfer to his wife to repay a separate loan of approximately $100,000 that she

made to a family friend, Lam. 1 VRP at 26; 3 VRP at 444-47. Huynh claims that

Pham, who also considered Lam a family friend, authorized Lam to do whatever he

chose with the McGrew loan funds, thus asserting the transfer to Huynh’s wife was

permitted. 1 VRP at 26; 3 VRP at 446. But Pham contends he knew nothing about

this loan. 2 VRP at 259.

Huynh contends that FOF 43 contradicts FOF 40—that the promissory note

for the McGrew loan at exhibit A-161 contained Pham’s signature. DP at 13. Pham

testified that he had never seen the promissory note and did not sign it. 1 VRP at

187. But the hearing officer found in FOF 40 that ODC “has not proved by a clear

preponderance of the evidence that the signature was forged.” DP at 13. This

finding about Pham’s signature does not contradict FOF 43, that Pham did not

authorize Huynh to use McGrew loan funds to repay a loan to Lam. And regardless

27 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

of whether Pham signed the promissory note, Pham testified that he did not obtain

the loan funds to loan money to Lam, 2 VRP at 259, which does not contradict the

hearing officer’s finding at FOF 40. In any event, this “court does not attempt to

substitute its evaluation of the credibility of witnesses for that of the hearing officer.”

Allotta, 109 Wn.2d at 793-94. Huynh acknowledged that the McGrew loan was

intended to be for the benefit of Pham. 3 VRP at 442; see also Appellant’s Br. at 48

(no challenge to remainder of FOF 43 finding that Huynh used McGrew loan funds

for purposes unrelated to Pham). Thus, we affirm the hearing officer’s reliance on

Pham’s testimony as substantial evidence.

FOF 44-55: Huynh challenges FOF 44 that his testimony was not credible that

he had authority to collect $100,000 from the McGrew loan. DP at 14-15.

Specifically, the hearing officer cited to 3 VRP at 446-47, where Huynh testified that

Pham authorized Lam to repay Huynh’s wife for the abovementioned loan, which is

why the loan funds were in Huynh’s personal account. Huynh contends there is

documentation that his wife loaned funds to Lam’s company, TEL Enterprises,

Appellant’s Br. at 49 (citing Ex. R118), but he fails to explain how this demonstrates

his testimony is credible that he had authority to collect money from the McGrew

loan. Huynh fails to provide documentary evidence or witness testimony showing

that he in fact had authority to use the McGrew loan for his own purposes, so Huynh

has not shown that the hearing officer erred in finding his testimony not credible.

28 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

Cf. 3 VRP at 442 (Huynh’s testimony acknowledging McGrew loan was intended to

be for benefit of Pham); see also Allotta, 109 Wn.2d at 793-94.

In addition, it appears Huynh attempts to challenge FOF 45-55, but the only

reference Huynh makes to those findings is that the hearing officer found part of

Huynh’s testimony not credible at FOF 44, “but somehow FOF¶¶45-55 are credible,

citing to Huynh’s same testimony and check register disbursements. Ex. A-178.”

Appellant’s Br. at 48-49. The testimony the hearing officer found not credible at

FOF 44—Huynh’s testimony that the loan funds were in his personal account

because Pham authorized Lam to pay off a loan involving Huynh’s wife, 3 VRP at

446-47—is not the same testimony the hearing officer relied on at FOF 45-55 (citing

to other portions of the VRP). DP at 14-15. The hearing officer also did not find

any portion of exhibit A-178 not credible. Consequently, Huynh’s purported

challenges to those findings lack merit.

FOF 56: Huynh argues that FOF 56—that Huynh had no entitlement to use

funds from the McGrew loan for his own purposes unrelated to Pham—is

contradicted by FOF 58—which refers to Huynh as the “primary beneficiary” of the

McGrew loan. DP at 15-16. Similar to the above discussion of FOF 16, it appears

the hearing officer was using the phrase “primary beneficiary” in a colloquial

manner, to mean Huynh benefited from the McGrew loan because he used the

money for his own purposes, and that is why Huynh’s interests were adverse to

29 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

Pham’s. See DP at 16. This interpretation is supported by the context of the rest

of FOF 58, which is unchallenged in relevant part and states that Huynh obtained

the McGrew loan with the intent to benefit himself. Id. Huynh focuses on the

phrase “primary beneficiary” in FOF 58 and argues that he was entitled to take an

interest in the funds. Appellant’s Br. at 50. But Huynh cites no credible evidence

in the record that Pham agreed Huynh would be the beneficiary of the McGrew

loan proceeds or that Pham authorized Huynh to use the McGrew loan funds. Id.

In contrast, Pham testified that he did not even know about the McGrew loan. 2

VRP at 259. A fair-minded, rational person would be convinced that Huynh was

not entitled to use the McGrew loan funds for his own purposes unrelated to

Pham. See Bonet, 144 Wn.2d at 511.

FOF 58: Huynh challenges the finding that he knew his interests as the

primary beneficiary of the McGrew loan were adverse to those of Pham. DP at 16.

“A person’s knowledge may be inferred from circumstances.” RPC 1.0A(f); see

also Placide, 190 Wn.2d at 426. The circumstances demonstrate that Huynh used

Pham’s loan funds for his own purposes, without Pham’s authorization, despite

acknowledging that the loan proceeds were intended to benefit Pham. CP at 38, 56;

2 VRP at 259; Exs. A-164 through A-179; 3 VRP at 442. Based on such

circumstances, we find it is reasonable for the hearing officer to infer Huynh’s

knowledge that his use of the McGrew loan for his own purposes was adverse to

30 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

Pham’s interests.

In sum, all of Huynh’s challenges to the findings of fact fail. Some of his

challenges are unsupported by argument and therefore those findings of fact are

verities on appeal. Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at 330. Those findings that are actually

challenged with argument are nevertheless supported by substantial evidence

sufficient to persuade a fair-minded, rational person of their accuracy. Bonet, 144

Wn.2d at 511.

B. Challenges to Conclusions of Law

We review conclusions of law de novo and uphold them if supported by the

findings of fact. In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Behrman, 165 Wn.2d 414, 422,

197 P.3d 1177 (2008) (citing Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at 330). Where a sanction is

recommended by a unanimous board, we will uphold the sanction “‘in the absence

of a clear reason for departure.’” Id. (quoting In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Whitt,

149 Wn.2d 707, 717, 72 P.3d 173 (2003)).

Huynh challenges various conclusions of law by the hearing officer, which

were adopted unanimously by the Board. DP at 25. Huynh’s challenges include the

following, grouped by counts of misconduct:

COL [(Conclusion of Counts 2 and 10 (Business Transactions) Law)] 70 and 77 COL 71, 73, and 78 Counts 3, 6, and 11 (Theft) COL 72 Count 5 (False Representation) COL 74 Count 7 (False Accounting) COL 75-76 Counts 8 and 9 (Conflicts of Interest) 31 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

Appellant’s Br. at 53-69.

1. Conclusions Related to Counts 2 and 10 (Business Transactions)

COL 70 and 77: The hearing officer concluded that Huynh violated RPC

1.8(a) by entering into a business transaction with his client, Pham. DP at 18-20.

RPC 1.8(a) provides, “A lawyer shall not enter into a business transaction with a

client” unless (1) the transaction and terms are fair and reasonable for the client and

are fully disclosed in writing, (2) the client is advised in writing to seek and has a

reasonable opportunity to seek the advice of independent legal counsel, and (3) the

client gives informed written consent to the transaction.

Huynh’s violation of RPC 1.8(a) involved entering into two business

transactions with Pham: “obtaining the Takenaka/Rounds loan” (COL 70) and

“obtaining the McGrew loan purportedly to lend money to Pham” (COL 77). Huynh

argues he did not engage in any business transaction with Pham. “A ‘business

transaction’ may be defined as ‘[a]n action that affects the actor’s financial or

economic interests.’” LK Operating, LLC v. Collection Grp., LLC, 181 Wn.2d 48,

76, 331 P.3d 1147 (2014) (alteration in original) (quoting BLACK’S LAW

DICTIONARY 227 (9th ed. 2009)). We interpret the term broadly. Id. Here, the

conclusions in COL 70 and 77 that Huynh entered into business transactions with

Pham are supported by the findings of fact. The hearing officer reasonably found in

FOF 2, 4-7, 10-14, 37-41, and 56 that while representing Pham, Huynh engaged in 32 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

the action of obtaining the Takenaka/Rounds loan and the McGrew loan in Pham’s

name. FOF 4-7, 10-11, and 38-41 are unchallenged, and therefore verities, Marshall,

160 Wn.2d at 330; and, as explained above, the other findings are supported by

substantial evidence. Furthermore, unchallenged FOF 64 shows that Huynh’s

conduct caused potentially serious injury to Pham’s financial or economic interests

by making him legally responsible for the repayment of the $50,000 and $200,000

loans. The conclusions that Huynh entered into business transactions with Pham are

supported by the findings of fact.

The hearing officer also concluded in both COL 70 and 77 that Huynh did so

“without (1) providing Pham with anything in writing regarding the transaction, (2)

advising Pham in writing to seek, and providing Pham a reasonable opportunity to

seek, independent counsel, or (3) obtaining Pham’s informed written consent to the

transaction.” DP at 18-20; see RPC 1.8(a). As for these conclusions that the

exceptions have not been met, COL 70 is well supported by FOF 16, which found

that Huynh failed to take these actions with respect to the Takenaka/Rounds loan,

DP at 7, and which is supported by substantial evidence. And COL 77 is supported

by FOF 57, which found that Huynh failed to take these actions with respect to the

McGrew loan, DP at 16, and which is unchallenged. Thus, we uphold COL 70 and

77.

33 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

2. Conclusions Related to Counts 3, 6, and 11 (Theft)

COL 71, 73, and 78: The hearing officer concluded in COL 71 that Huynh

“used the Takenaka/Rounds loan proceeds for [Huynh]’s own use” and in COL 78

that Huynh “used $180,000 of the $200,000 McGrew loan for [Huynh]’s personal

use and other purposes unrelated to Pham,” which violated “RPC 1.15A(b), RPC

8.4(b) (by committing the crime of theft as defined in RCW 9A.56.020), RPC 8.4(c),

RPC 8.4(i), and RPC 8.4(n)” as charged in counts 3 and 11. DP at 19-20.

Furthermore, the hearing officer concluded in COL 73 that Huynh “used the

investment funds of Takenaka and Rounds for [Huynh]’s personal use and other

purposes unrelated to Green Sky Productions,” which violated “RPC 8.4(b) (by

committing the crime of theft as defined in RCW 9A.56.020), RPC 8.4(c), RPC

8.4(i), and RPC 8.4(n) as charged in Count 6.” DP at 19.

Huynh challenges the hearing officer’s conclusions that he violated RPC

8.4(b).5 RPC 8.4(b) provides that “[i]t is professional misconduct for a lawyer to . .

. commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty,

trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.” “Theft” means “[t]o

wrongfully obtain or exert unauthorized control over the property or services of

5 Huynh does not challenge the hearing officer’s conclusions that he violated RPC 1.15A(b), RPC 8.4(c), RPC 8.4(i), or RPC 8.4(n) as charged in counts 3, 6, and 11. Appellant’s Br. at 56-61.

34 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

another or the value thereof, with intent to deprive him or her of such property or

services.” RCW 9A.56.020(1)(a). One way of committing theft under RCW

9A.56.020(1)(a) is embezzlement, which “‘occurs where property that is lawfully in

the taker’s possession is fraudulently or unlawfully appropriated by the taker.’”

Schwimmer, 153 Wn.2d at 760-61 (quoting State v. Ager, 128 Wn.2d 85, 91, 904

P.2d 715 (1995)), 760 n.2. “‘[E]mbezzlement involves a violation of trust and does

not require proof of intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property taken.’”

Id. at 761 (quoting Ager, 128 Wn.2d at 91).

Huynh advances four main arguments in challenging the violation of RPC

8.4(b). First, he asserts that the hearing officer failed to specify the type of theft that

he committed. Appellant’s Br. at 56. But as for conclusions of law, a hearing officer

is required only to state “conclusions indicating violations of specific provisions of

the Rules of Professional Conduct.” In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Johnson, 114

Wn.2d 737, 745, 790 P.2d 1227 (1990). The hearing officer satisfied this

requirement by explicitly naming specific provisions of the RPC that Huynh

violated. DP at 19-20.

Second, Huynh argues the hearing officer did not make the requisite finding

of “intent to deprive” for theft. Appellant’s Br. at 56-57. Huynh points to Placide,

where we required a hearing officer to make a finding of intent when concluding

that the lawyer’s actions constituted theft. 190 Wn.2d at 425. Here, the hearing

35 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

officer did precisely that when he found in FOF 14 and 56 that Huynh “knowingly

and intentionally used [the Takenaka/Rounds and McGrew loan proceeds] for

[Huynh]’s own purposes,” and in FOF 33 that Huynh “intentionally used

Takenaka/Rounds investment funds for purposes unrelated to Green Sky

productions.” DP at 7, 12, 15 (emphasis added). These findings of intent to use

these funds for other purposes are supported by substantial evidence and satisfy the

requirement to make findings of intent under Placide.

Third, it seems Huynh contends that “intentionally” using the funds for his

own purposes does not align with an “intent to deprive” the owner of the funds.

Appellant’s Br. at 58-59. But in Placide, we found based on the record that with

respect to retention of fees from outside clients, the lawyer “‘intentionally’” misled

an outside client and “‘intended to retain [the . . .] funds personally’” without

disclosure, so “the hearing officer could have reasonably concluded that [the lawyer]

acted intentionally.” 190 Wn.2d at 441-42, 428 (emphasis added) (some alterations

in original) (quoting the record). Consequently, we held that as a matter of law, the

lawyer committed “theft” within the meaning of RCW 9A.56.020(1)(a) and violated

RPC 8.4(b). Id. at 428. Here, the hearing officer found collectively in FOF 16-17,

23-24, 32-35, 57, 59, and 62 that Huynh acted “intentionally and knowingly” in

misusing client and investor funds, failed to disclose and intentionally concealed the

misuses to Takenaka and Rounds, failed to provide $180,000 of the $200,000

36 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

McGrew loan proceeds to Pham, delayed partial loan repayment to McGrew, and

failed to repay the remaining $70,000 of the loan funds to McGrew. DP at 7, 9-10,

12, 16, 17. FOF 17, 32, 34, 57, 59, and 62 are unchallenged, and therefore verities,

and as explained above, the remaining findings are supported by substantial

evidence. Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at 330. Thus, the findings show that Huynh acted

with the intent to deprive and committed theft. Huynh need not be charged or

convicted of a crime for a hearing officer to so conclude.

Fourth, Huynh argues the Green Sky Productions operating agreement

authorized him to use the Takenaka/Rounds investment funds for purposes unrelated

to Green Sky Productions. But the hearing officer rejected Huynh’s claim that the

operating agreement permitted this, as demonstrated by FOF 26 and 28-33, because

the evidence shows otherwise. DP at 10-12; see also supra note 5. FOF 26, 31, and

32 are unchallenged, and the remaining findings, as explained above, are supported

by substantial evidence. “We will not overturn findings based simply on an

alternative explanation or versions of the facts previously rejected by the hearing

officer and Board.” Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at 331.

37 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

Huynh’s arguments regarding these conclusions of law are unavailing. Thus,

we hold that the findings support the hearing officer’s conclusions in COL 71, 73,

and 78 that Huynh committed theft and violated RPC 8.4(b).6

3. Conclusions Related to Count 5 (False Representation)

COL 72: The hearing officer concluded in COL 72 that Huynh “executed the

Full Reconveyance Deed falsely stating that Takenaka and Rounds had made a

written request to reconvey, in violation of RPC 8.4(b) (by committing the crime of

false representation concerning title as defined in RCW 9.38.020), RPC 8.4(c), RPC

8.4(i), and RPC 8.4(n) as charged in Count 5.” DP at 19. RCW 9.38.020 states that

it is a gross misdemeanor for an individual to “maliciously or fraudulently execute

or file for record any instrument, or put forward any claim, by which the right or title

of another to any real or personal property is, or purports to be transferred,

encumbered or clouded.” (Emphasis added.) Huynh contends that the hearing

officer failed to state “the mens rea of maliciously or fraudulently.” Appellant’s Br.

at 61. However, the hearing officer found in FOF 24 that Huynh “intentionally and

fraudulently executed the Takenaka/Rounds full reconveyance deed,” and, as

6 Huynh also asserts that the hearing officer’s conclusions at COL 71 and 78 regarding theft and at COL 70 and 77 regarding RPC 1.8(a) (business transactions) are contradictory because “this means that a ‘reasonable attorney-client business transaction’ absurdly also encompasses theft.” Appellant’s Br. at 55-56. But the business transactions were not reasonable, as the hearing officer concluded they violated RPC 1.8(a) as supported by FOF 2, 4-7, 10-14, 37-41, 56, and 64. DP at 4-7, 13, 15-17. Huynh failed to cite to any credible evidence that Pham agreed that Huynh was entitled to use the loan proceeds for his own purposes. Thus, we find the hearing officer’s conclusions are logically compatible with one another. 38 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

explained above, that finding is supported by substantial evidence. DP at 10

(emphasis added). In addition, while Huynh cites his own testimony to assert that

he told Guidry not to record the reconveyance deed until Takenaka and Rounds got

paid, the hearing officer found that part of Huynh’s testimony not credible at FOF

25, and Huynh did not assign error to that finding. Id. Huynh also alleges that he

did not receive any financial benefit by executing the deed, but RCW 9.38.020 does

not require acquiring financial benefit to constitute false representation.7 We affirm

the hearing officer’s conclusion.

4. Conclusions Related to Count 7 (False Accounting)

COL 74: The hearing officer concluded in COL 74 that Huynh “provided

Takenaka and Rounds with a false accounting of their $445,000 investment, in

violation of RPC 8.4(c) as charged in Count 7.” DP at 19. RPC 8.4(c) states that

“[i]t is professional misconduct for a lawyer to . . . engage in conduct involving

dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.” (Emphasis added.) Huynh argues

that based on In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Dann, 136 Wn.2d 67, 77, 960

P.2d 416 (1998), “the question is whether the attorney lied,” and he did not lie.

Appellant’s Br. at 66-67. But it is reasonable to conclude that providing a false

accounting is a form of lying. See, e.g., Poole, 156 Wn.2d at 210-11 (backdating

7 Huynh does not appear to challenge any of the other violations to the RPCs contained in COL 72. 39 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

invoice constitutes lying); Dann, 136 Wn.2d at 77-78 (initial-switching on client

matters constitutes lying). In addition, Huynh claims Takenaka and Rounds were

not entitled to such accounting. But the reason Huynh violated RPC 8.4(c) is not

because he denied Takenaka and Rounds of the accounting; it is because he provided

a false one. The hearing officer found at FOF 31-34 that Takenaka requested from

Huynh an accounting of how the investment funds had been spent, and despite the

agreement to use investment funds for purposes only related to Green Sky

Productions, Huynh disbursed investment funds to unrelated sources and failed to

disclose such disbursements on the accounting. DP at 11-12. FOF 31-32 and 34 are

unchallenged, and therefore verities, Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at 330, and FOF 33, as

explained above, is supported by substantial evidence. These findings are sufficient

to support the conclusion that Huynh made misrepresentations and the accounting

was false, thus violating RPC 8.4(c).

5. Conclusions Related to Counts 8 and 9 (Conflicts of Interest)

COL 75: The hearing officer concluded in COL 75 that Huynh “represented

McGrew in the loan transaction in which another client, Pham, was directly adverse,

in violation of RPC 1.7(a)(1) as charged in Count 8.” DP at 19. RPC 1.7(a)(1) states

that “a lawyer shall not represent a client if the representation involves a concurrent

conflict of interest,” which exists if “the representation of one client will be directly

adverse to another client.” Huynh argues that he was not McGrew’s lawyer and at

40 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

the time he was engaging in the loan transaction with McGrew, he did not represent

Pham. But as the hearing officer found in FOF 60-61, and as supported by

substantial evidence, explained above, Huynh simultaneously represented McGrew

and Pham, knowing their interests were adverse in the McGrew loan. DP at 16-17.

We affirm the hearing officer’s conclusion in COL 75.

COL 76: The hearing officer concluded in COL 76 that Huynh “represented

Pham in the 606 Post Avenue Litigation when there was a significant risk that the

representation would be materially limited by [Huynh]’s responsibilities to McGrew

or by [Huynh]’s personal interest in using the property as security and a source of

repayment for the McGrew loan,” which violated “RPC 1.7(a)(2) as charged in

Count 9.” DP at 19. RPC 1.7(a)(2) states that “a lawyer shall not represent a client

if the representation involves a concurrent conflict of interest,” which exists if “there

is a significant risk that the representation of one or more clients will be materially

limited by the lawyer’s responsibilities to another client, a former client or a third

person or by a personal interest of the lawyer.” Huynh argues he did not have a

“personal interest” in Pham’s property, but in FOF 44-56 and 60-61, the hearing

officer found just that: Huynh had a personal interest in using Pham’s 606 Post

Avenue property as security and a source of repayment for the McGrew loan, as

supported by substantial evidence explained above. DP at 14-17. As explained in

COL 75, Huynh also had an attorney-client relationship with McGrew in the loan

41 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

transaction, and these conflicting interests created a risk of materially limiting

Huynh’s representation of Pham. DP at 19; see also 3 VRP at 374-75, 442-43. Thus,

we uphold the hearing officer’s conclusion in COL 76.

In sum, all of Huynh’s challenges to the conclusions of law fail because he

has not shown that the challenges are unsupported by the findings of fact. Behrman,

165 Wn.2d at 422 (citing Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at 330). We therefore uphold all of

the hearing officer’s conclusions of law.

C. Statutory Defense to Theft

Huynh argues that his right to procedural due process was violated because he

was not able to present a statutory defense to theft under RCW 9A.56.020(2)(a).

“We review alleged due process violations de novo.” In re Disciplinary Proc.

Against Starczewski, 177 Wn.2d 771, 782, 306 P.3d 905 (2013) (citing In re

Disciplinary Proc. Against King, 168 Wn.2d 888, 899, 232 P.3d 1095 (2010)).

Huynh was charged with violating RPC 8.4(b) by committing theft as defined by

RCW 9A.56.020 in counts 3, 6, and 11, which correspond with the hearing officer’s

conclusions in COL 73 and 78. DP at 2-3, 19-20. RCW 9A.56.020(2)(a) sets out a

statutory defense to theft, where “[t]he property or service was appropriated openly

and avowedly under a claim of title made in good faith, even though the claim be

untenable.”

Huynh raises for the first time on appeal that he was deprived of the

42 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

opportunity to raise a defense to theft under this statute. See Appellant’s Reply

Br. at 35-37 (no dispute argument is being raised for first time); see also AR at

292 (briefing asserting course of performance defense, which was rejected by

hearing officer, but not raising defense under RCW 9A.56.020(2)(a)). In a

disciplinary proceeding, a lawyer who fails to raise an issue before the Board

waives that issue when there is “strong evidence” of such a waiver. See In re

Disciplinary Proc. Against Vetter, 104 Wn.2d 779, 781, 711 P.2d 284 (1985). In

Vetter, we held that a waiver was equivocal when the lawyer explicitly stated in

writing to the Board “that he did not wish ‘to challenge at this stage the

conclusion as to the use of Bar counsel in the proceeding.’” Id. at 780-81. In

other words, there was not strong evidence of a waiver because the lawyer

reserved the issue for appeal, and only this court, not the Board, had binding

authority on the question. Id. at 781. Here, however, Huynh made no indication

that he was reserving for appeal the issue of whether his procedural due process was

violated by being unable to present a defense under the theft statute, and the Board

does have authority to resolve procedural due process issues. Cf. In re Disciplinary

Proc. Against Preszler, 169 Wn.2d 1, 14, 232 P.3d 1118 (2010) (Board remanded

matter to new hearing officer due to unfair considerations by initial hearing

officer). Thus, we find that because Huynh failed to raise an argument for a

statutory defense to theft under RCW 9A.56.020(2)(a) before the Board, Huynh 43 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

waived his opportunity to present such a defense and we decline to consider the

issue further. 8

D. Disbarment

Last, we must determine whether the Board’s recommended sanction of

disbarment is justified in this case. “A unanimous board decision will be upheld in

the absence of a clear reason for departure.” Whitt, 149 Wn.2d at 717 (citing In re

Disciplinary Proc. Against Kuvara, 149 Wn.2d 237, 258-59, 66 P.3d 1057 (2003)).

We affirm the Board’s unanimous decision to disbar Huynh. As explained above,

Huynh misappropriated client and investor funds, attempted to conceal the thefts,

and engaged in other intentional conduct involving dishonesty absent

extraordinary circumstances to mitigate his serious misconduct.

8 Huynh raises several other claims, including that the complaint violates due process and fails to comply with the Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct (ELC) because it purportedly failed to put Huynh on notice as to why certain actions resulted in a violation. Due process requires only that the respondent lawyer “‘be notified of clear and specific charges and . . . be afforded an opportunity to anticipate, prepare, and present a defense.” Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at 340 (alteration in original) (quoting In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Romero, 152 Wn.2d 124, 136-37, 94 P.3d 939 (2004)). ELC 10.3(a)(3) requires only that the complaint “state the respondent’s acts or omissions in sufficient detail to inform the respondent of the nature of the allegations of misconduct.” There is no requirement that every fact, specific element, or pertinent legal theory be pleaded in the complaint to justify the reason for the charges. In addition, Huynh asserts that the hearing officer abused his discretion by sustaining ODC’s hearsay objection regarding statements by Lam that allegedly authorized Huynh to use the Takenaka and Rounds loan proceeds belonging to Pham. But a hearing officer has the authority to reject witness testimony when drawing conclusions regarding intent, In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Ferguson, 170 Wn.2d 916, 934, 246 P.3d 1236 (2011), and a “reasonably prudent” lawyer would not rely on a nonclient’s oral statement to confirm a lawyer has permission to use client funds for the lawyer’s own purposes, ELC 10.14(d)(1). We reject such assertions by Huynh.

44 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Standards for Imposing Lawyer

Sanctions govern bar discipline cases in Washington. Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at

342 (citing ABA, STANDARDS FOR IMPOSING LAWYER SANCTIONS (1991 & Supp.

1992)); see also ABA, ANNOTATED STANDARDS FOR IMPOSING LAWYER

SANCTIONS (2d ed. 2019) (ABA STANDARDS). In applying the ABA Standards,

we evaluate whether the Board appropriately determined the presumptive

sanction by considering “(1) the ethical duties violated, (2) the lawyer’s mental

state, and (3) the actual or potential injury caused by the lawyer’s misconduct.”

Marshall, 160 Wn.2d at 342. Next, we consider any relevant aggravating or

mitigating circumstances. Id. After that, we consider whether the Board’s

recommended sanction is proportionate to the misconduct. Kuvara, 149 Wn.2d

at 257-58.

There are three ABA Standards relevant to the ethical duties Huynh

violated. First, Standard 4.11—which states that disbarment is appropriate “when

a lawyer knowingly converts client property and causes injury or potential injury

to a client”—applies to Huynh’s conversions of client property. ABA

STANDARDS at 145. Huynh “knowingly converted client funds and caused injury

to Pham,” as reflected by counts 3 and 11. DP at 20-22.

45 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

Second, Standard 4.31—which states that disbarment is appropriate when

a lawyer, without the client’s informed consent, fails to avoid conflicts of

interest—applies to Huynh’s conflicts of interest. ABA STANDARDS at 172.

Huynh entered into a business transaction with Pham with the intent to benefit

himself while knowing his interests were adverse to Pham’s under counts 2 and

10, simultaneously represented McGrew and Pham while knowing their interests

were adverse under count 8, and represented Pham in the 606 Post Avenue

litigation knowing his interests were adverse to Pham’s under count 9.

Third, Standard 5.11—which states that disbarment is appropriate when a

lawyer engages in “serious criminal conduct,” for example, in theft, or “in any

other intentional conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or

misrepresentation”—applies to Huynh’s criminal and dishonest conduct. ABA

STANDARDS at 238. For the purposes of the question of disbarment, Huynh

committed the crime of theft by appropriating Pham’s property under counts 3

and 11; and he acted dishonestly and fraudulently in executing the false

reconveyance deed under count 5, using the Takenaka and Rounds investment

funds for unauthorized purposes under count 6 and providing Takenaka and

Rounds a false accounting under count 7. The hearing officer also found that

Huynh intended to use the funds for these unsanctioned purposes and/or his

46 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

conduct was knowing with respect to all sustained counts, and that Huynh caused

injury, serious injury, or potentially serious injury to clients and third parties.

Thus, the ethical duties violated, Huynh’s mental state, and the actual or potential

injury he caused support a presumptive sanction of disbarment. Marshall, 160

Wn.2d at 342.

Furthermore, the relevant aggravating circumstances far outweigh the single

mitigating circumstance. The hearing officer found three aggravating factors: (1)

dishonest or selfish motive, (2) multiple offenses, and (3) substantial experience in

the practice of law. The hearing officer found only one mitigating factor: absence

of a disciplinary record. The lack of extraordinary circumstances to mitigate

Huynh’s serious misconduct weighs in favor of disbarment.

With respect to the proportionality of the Board’s recommended sanction to

the misconduct, we consider “the misconduct found, the presence of aggravating

factors, the existence of prior discipline, and the lawyer’s culpability.” In re

Disciplinary Proc. Against Conteh, 175 Wn.2d 134, 152-53, 284 P.3d 724 (2012).

We compare the instant case with “‘similarly situated cases in which the same

sanction was approved or disapproved.’” In re Disciplinary Proc. Against

VanDerbeek, 153 Wn.2d 64, 97, 101 P.3d 88 (2004) (quoting In re Disciplinary

Proc. Against Miller, 149 Wn.2d 262, 285, 66 P.3d 1069 (2003)). “The attorney

facing discipline ‘bears the burden of bringing cases to the court’s attention that

47 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

demonstrate the disproportionality of the sanction imposed.’” In re Disciplinary

Proc. Against Cramer, 168 Wn.2d 220, 240, 225 P.3d 881 (2010) (quoting In re

Disciplinary Proc. Against Cohen, 150 Wn.2d 744, 763, 82 P.3d 224 (2004)); see

also VanDerBeek, 153 Wn.2d at 97. Huynh did not meet his burden as he failed to

make a disproportionality argument or cite to comparable cases. See In re

Disciplinary Proc. Against Kagele, 149 Wn.2d 793, 821, 72 P.3d 1067 (2003). “In

light of this court’s ‘strong policy against client fund violations,’ disbarment is the

only acceptable sanction here.” In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Fossedal, 189

Wn.2d 222, 241, 399 P.3d 1169 (2017) (quoting In re Disciplinary Proc. Against

Rentel, 107 Wn.2d 276, 281, 729 P.2d 615 (1986)). As a result, we adopt the

Board’s unanimous recommendation to disbar Huynh.

CONCLUSION

Huynh violated numerous rules against mishandling client funds and

misrepresenting those actions. The evidence against Huynh is voluminous and well

documented, and he demonstrates no mitigating factors for his behavior.

Consequently, this is a case where the most serious disciplinary sanction is not only

called for but, frankly, demanded by the record. Therefore, we affirm the hearing

officer’s findings of fact and conclusions of law, reject Huynh’s due process claims,

and adopt the Board’s recommendation to disbar Huynh.

48 In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Huynh No. 202147-6

______________________________

WE CONCUR:

___________________________ ______________________________