Washington State Bar Watch

Walter Marland Hackett Jr
License Number: 1055
License Type: Lawyer
Eligible To Practice: No
License Status: Disbarred
WSBA Admit Date: 11/22/1968
Contact Information
Public/Mailing Address: 509 4th St Ste 9
Bremerton, WA 98337-1401
Phone: (360) 377-4481
Practice Information Identified by Legal Professional
Firm or Employer:
Office Type and Size: Not Specified
Practice Areas: None Specified
Languages Other Than English: None Specified
Professional Liability Insurance
Private Practice: Yes
Has Insurance? Yes – Click for more info
Last Updated: 4/25/2014 7:00:00 AM
Committees
Member of these committees/boards/panels:
None
Disciplinary History
Action Effective Date
Reprimand 10/04/2005
Suspension 12/12/2014
Disbarment 02/20/2017
In some cases, discipline search results will not reveal all disciplinary action relating to a Washington licensed legal professional, and may not display links to the official decision documents.

Discipline Notice – Walter Hackett
License Number: 1055
Member Name: Walter Hackett
Discipline Detail
Action: Reprimand
Effective Date: 10/4/2005
RPC: 1.3 – Diligence
1.4 – Communication
Discipline Notice:
Description: Walter M. Hackett, Jr. (WSBA No. 1055, admitted 1968), of Bremerton received a reprimand on October 4, 2005, following approval of a stipulation by the Hearing Officer. This discipline is based on conduct involving failing to diligently represent a client and failing to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter.
On May 14, 2003, Mr. Hackett was hired by a client to enforce her interest in certain real property that the client and her deceased husband had transferred to a third party. Mr. Hackett failed to take reasonable steps to ascertain the type of instrument used for transferring the real property and whether the instrument was recorded. After incorrectly assuming that the property was transferred through a real estate contract, Mr. Hackett attempted to pursue forfeiture by filing an ineffective and deficient Notice of Forfeit and Declaration of Forfeiture. Mr. Hackett failed to respond to client inquiries regarding the status of the matter for seven months. After he eventually discovered that the property was transferred through a deed with the debt secured by a deed of trust, he failed to diligently pursue foreclosure on the property.
Mr. Hackett’s conduct violated RPC 1.3, requiring a lawyer to diligently represent a client; and RPC 1.4(b), requiring a lawyer to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit a client to make informed decisions regarding the representation.
Jonathan Burke represented the Bar Association. Mr. Hackett represented himself. Mr. Scott Ellerby was the hearing officer.
In some cases, discipline search results will not reveal all disciplinary action relating to a Washington licensed legal professional, and may not display links to the official decision documents.

Discipline Notice – Walter Hackett
License Number: 1055
Member Name: Walter Hackett
Discipline Detail
Action: Suspension
Effective Date: 12/12/2014
RPC: 8.4 – Misconduct
Discipline Notice: Disciplinary Board Recommendation
Hearing Officer Findings
Supreme Court Order
Description: Walter Marland Hackett JR (WSBA No. 1055, admitted 1968) of Bremerton, was suspended for ten days, effective 12/12/2014, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 8.4 (Misconduct). Craig Bray acted as disciplinary counsel. Walter Marland Hackett JR represented himself. Stephen J. Henderson was the hearing officer. Craig Charles Beles was the settlement hearing officer. The online version of NWLawyer contains links to the following documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Declining Sua Sponte Review; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
In some cases, discipline search results will not reveal all disciplinary action relating to a Washington licensed legal professional, and may not display links to the official decision documents

Discipline Notice – Walter Hackett
License Number: 1055
Member Name: Walter Hackett
Discipline Detail
Action: Disbarment
Effective Date: 2/20/2017
RPC: 1.15A – Safeguarding Property
1.16 – Declining or Terminating Representation
1.3 – Diligence
1.4 – Communication
1.5 – Fees
3.2 – Expediting Litigation
8.4 – Misconduct
Discipline Notice: Disciplinary Board Order
Hearing Officer Findings
Supreme Court Order
Description: Walter Marland Hackett Jr (WSBA No. 1055, admitted 1968) of Bremerton, was disbarred, effective 2/20/2017, by order of the Washington Supreme Court. The lawyer’s conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.5 (Fees), 1.15A (Safeguarding Property), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), 3.2 (Expediting Litigation), 8.4 (Misconduct). Benjamin J. Attanasio and M Craig Bray acted as disciplinary counsel. Walter Marland Hackett Jr represented himself. James D. Hicks was the hearing officer. The online version of NWLawyer contains links to the following documents: Hearing Officer’s Decision; Disciplinary Board Order Declining Sua Sponte Review; and Washington Supreme Court Order.
In some cases, discipline search results will not reveal all disciplinary action relating to a Washington licensed legal professional, and may not display links to the official decision documents.