In re Grimm, 2378.

• Decision Date: 04 November 1947
• Docket Number: 2378.
• Citation: 185 P.2d 990,29 Wn.2d 147
• Parties: In re GRIMM.
• Court: Washington Supreme Court

185 P.2d 990

29 Wn.2d 147

In re GRIMM.

No. 2378.

Supreme Court of Washington, En Banc.

November 4, 1947

Proceeding by Washington State Bar Association in the matter of the discipline or disbarment of Karl Grimm.

Respondent disbarred.

BEALS Justice.

This is a disbarment proceeding. Karl J. Grimm was admitted to the bar of this state, February 23, 1938. From the record of proceedings in this matter Before the board of governors of the Washington state bar association, filed herein, it appears that a complaint against Karl J. Grimm was made by the board of governors and referred for hearing to a trial committee composed of three members of the state bar association; that due notice, in accordance with the procedure provided for by the rules and regulations of the state bar association, was given to Mr. Grimm advising him of the time and place of the meeting of the trial committee, and that Mr. Grimm did not appear Before the committee, either in person or by counsel.

After an investigation, the committee recommended that Mr. Grimm be disbarred, and, in due time, the board of governors forwarded the complete record to this court, together with its recommendation that Karl J. Grimm be permanently disbarred for the reason that he had been guilty of unprofessional conduct and violation of his duties as an attorney and counselor at law, and because of certain acts of his involving moral turpitude and dishonesty.

From the record defore us, it appears that, upon the death of C L. Holcomb, Esquire, who had for many years been practicing law in Kennewick, Washington, Mr. Grimm, who was practicing law in a neighboring city, was retained by Mr. Holcomb's widow to conduct the probate of the estate of her deceased husband; that Mr. Grimm was paid in full for his services as attorney for the estate and for some disbursements which he had made in the course of the probate proceedings; that included among the assets of Mr. Holcomb's estate were a considerable number of law books which had a sale value, at that time, of between $200 and $400, and that, while awaiting an advantageous sale of the books, it was understood that Mr Grimm might use the books in connection with his practice. It appeared that Mr. Grimm was not authorized to dispose of the law books, but that, during the month of May, 1945, he sold his own law books and the law books belonging to Mr Holcomb's estate, executing a formal bill of sale of...