06/21/2022
1 Pamela D. Bucy Case Number: PR 22-0328
Chief Disciplinary Counsel
2 P.O. Box 1099
Helena, MT 59620-1099
3 (406)442-1648
pbucy(a montanaodc.org
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Office of Disciplinary Counsel
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BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON PRACTICE OF THE
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9 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
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11 IN THE MATTER OF Supreme Court Cause No. PR 21-0187
12 MARIBETH HANSON, ODC File No. 22-010
13 A Suspended Attorney, COMPLAINT
14 Respondent. Rules 8.1(b), MRPC
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16 By leave of the Commission on Practice (Commission) granted on April 20,
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2022,the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for the State of Montana("ODC"), hereby
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charges Maribeth Hanson with professional misconduct as follows:
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20 General Allegations
21 1. Maribeth Hanson, hereinafter referred to as Respondent, was admitted to
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the practice of law in the State of Montana in September 2014, at which time she
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took the oath required for admission, wherein she agreed to abide by the Rules of
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Complaint - Page 1
Professional Conduct,the Disciplinary Rules adopted by the Supreme Court, and the
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2 highest standards of honesty,justice and morality, including but not limited to,
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those outlined in parts 3 and 4 of Chapter 61, Title 37, Montana Code Annotated.
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2. The Montana Supreme Court has approved and adopted the Montana Rules
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of Professional Conduct ("MRPC"), governing the ethical conduct of attorneys
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mentioned in this Complaint.
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Count One
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11 3. ODC realleges and incorporates paragraphs 1 through 2ofthe General
12 Allegations as if fully restated in this Count One.
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4. On February 12, 2021,ODC received a grievance from Respondent's
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client, Judith Ransom ("Ransom"). Ransom generally alleged she paid Respondent
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16 a retainer and Respondent failed to adequately communicate with her or take
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appropriate action on her matter.
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5. By letter dated April 9, 2021, ODC requested Respondent provide a
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response to Ransom's grievance. Respondent was to respond on or before April 30,
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21 2021; the mailing was not returned, and Respondent failed to respond.
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6. By letter dated May 6,2021, ODC again sent, via regular first-class
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USPS mail and Return Receipt/Certified Mail, a second letter to Hanson,
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instructing her to provide her response within ten(10)days,or by May 16,2021.
Complaint - Page 2
The regular mail was not returned. The return receipt card was returned to ODC
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2 as having been signed by "Ashley Roberts". Respondent failed to respond.
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7. ODC emailed Respondent on June 2, 2021, describing multiple
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attempts to contact her and asking Respondent to contact ODC as soon as
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possible. Respondent did not respond, nor did she provide a response to the
7 grievance.
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8. ODC made telephonic contact with Respondent on June 14, 2021, and
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she verified her contact information, discussed ODC's multiple attempts to
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11 contact her and elicit her response to' Ransom's grievance. Following the
12 conversation, ODC again provided a copy of Ransom's grievance to Respondent
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at the email address she requested. Respondent was to provide her response on
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or before, June 30, 2021; Respondent failed to respond.
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16 9. As a result of her failure to respond or cooperate with lawful demands
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service and was provided a copy of the Rule 24 Order for Show Cause. The hearing
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was held October 27,2021; Respondent failed to appear or provide a response to the
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21 grievance filed against her.
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10. By Order dated November 9, 2021, Respondent was suspended for 30-
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days for her failure to respond, cooperate, and appear.
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Complaint - Page 3
11. Despite being sanctioned in November, Respondent has not been
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2 compelled to participate and has avoided the attorney disciplinary process and to
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date, Respondent has failed to provide any response as demanded.
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12. Respondent's failure to respond to ODC and the Commission's lawful
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demands concerning Ransom's grievance violated Rule 8.1(b), MRPC, and Rule
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WHEREFORE,the Office of Disciplinary Counsel prays:
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1. That a Citation be issued to the Respondent, to which shall be attached
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11 a copy of the complaint, requiring Respondent, within twenty-one (21) days after
12 service thereof, to file a written answer to the Complaint;
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2. That a formal hearing be had on the allegations ofthis complaint before
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an Adjudicatory Panel ofthe Commission;
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16 3. That the Adjudicatory Panel of the Commission make a report of its
17 findings and recommendations after a formal hearing to the Montana Supreme
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Court, and, in the event the Adjudicatory Panel finds the facts warrant disciplinary
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action and recommends discipline, that the Commission also recommend the nature
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21 and extent of appropriate disciplinary action, including an award of costs and
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expenses incurred in investigating and prosecuting this matter; and,
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//
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//
Complaint - Page 4
1 4. For such other and further relief as deemed necessary and proper.
2 DATED this 20th day of June 2022.
3 OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
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5 By: le6voLdet
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Pamela D. Bucy
Chief Disciplinary Counsel 0-
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Complaint - Page 5
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Pamela D. Bucy, hereby certify that I have served true and accurate copies of the foregoing
Complaint - Formal Complaint and Citation to Appear to the following on 06-21-2022:
Maribeth Hanson (Other)
1312 N. Monroe Street, Suite 252
Spokane WA 99201
Representing: Self-Represented
Service Method: Conventional
Shelly Smith (Court Reporter)
Office Administrator
Supreme Court Boards and Commissions
P.O. Box 203002
301 S. Park Ave., Ste. 328
Helena MT 59624
Service Method: eService
E-mail Address: shellysmith@mt.gov
Electronically signed by Sandy Jacke on behalf of Pamela D. Bucy
Dated: 06-21-2022