On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, attorney Donald Robert Buehler submitted his resignation to the Washington State Bar Association in lieu of disciplinary action, according to documents filed with the Disciplinary Board.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Donald Robert Buehler,” with case number 17-00746.
Buehler faced a Formal Complaint and Notice to Answer served on April 4, 2025, to which he initially responded with a Formal Answer on April 14, 2025, later stricken from the record. He subsequently filed a Supplemental Amended Formal Answer on August 11, 2025, and amendments to that answer on September 14, 2025.
Buehler’s resignation, made under Rule 9.3 of the Washington Supreme Court’s Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct (ELC), comes as he chooses to forgo defending against allegations of misconduct outlined in Disciplinary Counsel’s statement, which he denies.
As part of the resignation agreement, Buehler has consented to an order under ELC 13.9(e) to pay $1,500 for expenses incurred in the matter, agreeing to a payment plan of $50 per month with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. He is also responsible for any additional costs or restitution that may be ordered by a Review Committee under ELC 9.3(g), though the Office of Disciplinary Counsel has stated they will not seek any additional costs or restitution.
Buehler acknowledges that his resignation is permanent, precluding any future application for reinstatement unless the Washington Supreme Court alters the current rule. He also commits to notifying all other jurisdictions where he is admitted to practice law, including California, and to seek permanent resignation from those bars. Furthermore, he will inform any professional licensing agencies that are predicated on his admission to practice law of his resignation.
The resignation takes effect upon endorsement and filing by Disciplinary Counsel. Following this, Buehler will be subject to the same restrictions and duties as a disbarred lawyer under ELC 14.1 through ELC 14.4.
According to Avvo, Mr. Buehler was an insurance lawyer in Spokane Valley, WA. He acquired his law license in Washington in 1984.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
