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Monday update: No disciplinary hearing set yet for Kelso lawyer Ott

Monday, May 12, 2008 6:37 AM PDT

By Stephanie Mathieu

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Officials from the Washington State Bar Association are likely to set a disciplinary hearing within the month for longtime Kelso lawyer Dennis Ott, who is once again under review for professional conduct.

Bar Association officials had hoped to set a hearing date by last month to decide whether Ott should be disbarred, which would end his legal career in Washington. Bar Association spokeswoman Judy Berrett said last week the association still must appoint a review officer. She expects a hearing date will be scheduled in Seattle within the next month.

Ott faces more than 20 accusations that he made his staff forge documents, ignored clients, charged for services he never provided, and lied to the courts about never receiving crucial legal documents, according to Bar Association documents.

Most of the alleged breaches of professional ethics occurred in 2006, but some date back to 2004 and others reach into 2007, according to the Bar Association. The complaints involve four clients and two employees, who were interviewed by Bar Association investigators.

In 1997, the Bar Association suspended Ott for 30 days for ethical violations, including unlawfully tape recording a client conference and directing his staff to alter a community property agreement. At that time, the Bar Association also noted that throughout the proceedings, Ott refused to acknowledge the "wrongful nature" of his conduct.

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Cowlitz County Residient wrote on May 12, 2008 8:57 AM:

" Ott is just one ofthe handful of lawyers in our county that prey on those that need legal advice and can't pay the fee many attorneys charge up front. It would be great if someone developed a web site to rate the lawyers based on local citizen's reviews. If you have never had to hire an attorney before it really is a crap shoot when you pick one from the phone book. Most folks don't want to discuss their legal problem with other people to get a recommendation. "

Tex from Cougar wrote on May 12, 2008 9:31 AM:

" What a witch hunt! I've known Dennis for years and he is the most honest, honorable guy I've ever known. This is the most ridiculous thing Ive ever heard. Why doesnt the state spend more money in the places that it belongs, like ending the meth problem and rounding up pedophiles. Just another waste of taxpayer money going after a heard working lawyer. Leave Dennis alone and let this man continue his work for the community. "

Dear Tex wrote on May 12, 2008 10:41 AM:

" The Washington State Bar Assn isn't using taxpayer funds to investigate lawyers. At least get some info before you rant and rave! The WSBA is an organization that regulates lawyers and licenses them - similar to the Realtor's Board. The WSBA also provides free services to lawyers by the score, including counseling, stress management service, office structure and organization, referral assistance, etc. and it is funded primarily by the attorneys in the state who pay into the Assn. It takes no public funds at all. And, if he is a hard-working, upstanding lawyer who is honest and honorable, he will make it through this tough time. If he isn't, then he will suffer the consequences. Too many people are injured by bad business, and I don't think he is an indication of the majority of the Bar. He simply has had too many of these same incidents and complaints repeatedly to ignore. I think a prudent person would take into account his history of being disciplined for dishonest actions. "

fed up wrote on May 12, 2008 12:01 PM:

" too bad the bar didnt set the hearing date. I cant help but wonder how many people he has hurt that were not reported? what happens to his clients now? how many more are there that the legal eagles didnt know about. "

Get Real Tex... wrote on May 12, 2008 12:08 PM:

" Tex:

I find it amazing that each time there is a news post, you have known the subject to be the most honorable, honest, decent human being to ever walk the earth.

You just know everyone like they are your best bud, now don't you??

Perhaps you should take stock in the company you keep if all of your "closest" friends are consistently making news headlines...

As to the allegations against Ott, all I can say is that I worked in the Cowlitz County legal community for a collective total of 16 years. During that time, I worked with numerous co-workers who were former Ott employees. Without fail, they ALL had the same things to say... "I felt that I had better find a new job before I was indicted for what he was making me do."

End of story. Let the bar decide. "

Agnus wrote on May 12, 2008 12:24 PM:

" To: CC Resident
Check out: www.avvo.com

You'll find reviews on several local attorneys, as well as attorneys from all over the U.S.. Just type in our zip and review away! "

Agnus wrote on May 12, 2008 12:31 PM:

" Note to my above post! The website is www. a v v o . com for whatever reason it looks like a w o. It's not, definatley double V.... "

Re. Agnus wrote on May 12, 2008 12:54 PM:

" Hmmm. I looked up www.avvo.com and there were 121 lawyers listed. Out of all of them, Ott was the only one rated "use extreme caution". The rest were either "very good" or "no concern". Thanks for the information. This should be useful to others. "

In training wrote on May 12, 2008 1:14 PM:

" Sounds like this guy is in training to become a Longview or Kelso or Cowlitz County elected official. "

Agnus wrote on May 12, 2008 1:49 PM:

" As someone whom has been involved in legal circles locally for the last several years I would rate no more than about 15 of our area attorneys as excellent. There's a whole lot of average in town and about a dozen I'd personally steer clear of. Unfortunately avvo hasn't seen a lot of use locally as of yet. I would definatly agree with the sentiment that the cheapest isn't always the best! Any reputable attorney will charge a significant retainer fee to protect their own interests and while expensive is reasonable. "

Another Legal Eagle wrote on May 12, 2008 2:35 PM:

" I have been in the legal community for 8-9 years in this area. Sadly enough, there are those attorneys who tend to be more like a litigation mill and people tend to get lost in the shuffle on a regular basis. But I have to say, I have worked for some really good attorneys in this area, who are genuinely caring and kind as well as knowledgeable and conscientious. It is sad when this kind of publicity reflects poorly on them. I am more optimistic than Agnus, having found that there are many good men and women in this profession in the area. Ott hasn't always been the best representation of the legal profession and IMO he should retire and avoid the rest of the industry being labeled for his misdeeds. "

Remember.... wrote on May 12, 2008 7:20 PM:

" 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name. "

Got an idea wrote on May 13, 2008 8:14 AM:

" The www.a v v o website is great! A poster is correct, it's not been widely used locally, but we should change that. Please, people, check out this site, write reviews as appropriate. If you've had bad experiences, post it. AND FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, if you've had good ones, post that too please. ATTORNEYS: Add your information here. You are cheating yourself if you don't. I bet there will be a local movement afoot to use this site frequently!!! "

I have wrote on May 13, 2008 8:54 AM:

" I have had good experiences with local lawyers and I did go write reviews. I would encourage everyone to do the same. What better way to let the community know what works and what needs improvement in this day of technology? I think it can be a great resource and help prevent situations like the one above. "

Only disbarred wrote on May 13, 2008 9:43 AM:

" When the hearing finally happens, Ott should not only be disbarred, but also fined, jailed for 10 years, and ordered to make tenfold restitution to everyone that he has violated with his willful disregard for the law, his willful disregard for the welfare of those he was hired to serve and represent, and the willful disregard of his employees by forcing them to be accomplices in his illegal activity. LOCK OTT UP!!! "

Stag wrote on May 13, 2008 12:25 PM:

" Like everyone else I think if a person does something wrong they should pay a price for there actions. This would mean no matter who it is, a LAWYER, a POLICEMAN, or the everyday person who walks the streets. Yes, I would start off by taking is right to be a lawyer and then go from there. If broke the law he or she should be accountable for there actions "

YIP...... wrote on May 13, 2008 4:17 PM:

" We are talking about the lowest form of life on the planet. Its called legalized stealing. Lawyers essentially prouduce no product, they seek to distort the language of law, so as the average person will not understand what is going on and inturn will have to seek the advice of a lawyer. Essentially, law is and should be simple, but lawyers do not want the average person to see it that way, or do they want law to be simple, otherwise they, the lawyers would have to produce something of value,in order to survive. "

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