On Thursday, May 16, 2024, Attorney Hugo Cornelius Johnson IV filed a resignation form before the Washington State Bar Association in lieu of discipline. The Resignation was endorsed by Disciplinary Counsel Claire Carden.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Hugo Cornelius Johnson IV,” with case no. 23-00615.
A Statement of Alleged Misconduct from Disciplinary Counsel outlined a series of criminal charges and convictions faced by Johnson over the past few years. In 2019, Johnson was charged with driving under the influence after causing a two-car accident while intoxicated. He later pleaded guilty to attempted hate crime and fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation, stemming from an incident in 2020 involving the assault of an associate attorney from his former law firm following a social event. Johnson also faced charges relating to interference with flight crew members as well as simple assault on an airplane.
By resigning, Johnson chose not to defend himself against allegations that this pattern of criminal behavior violated various Rules of Professional Conduct regarding criminal acts, misconduct, and violating court orders. As part of his resignation, Johnson agreed to permanently resign from the practice of law. He will also be restricted permanently from practicing law and subject to rules governing disbarred lawyers. Johnson certified under penalty of perjury that the resignation statement was true, and acknowledged his resignation would have the same effect as disbarment.
According to avvo.com, Mr, Johnson was a family attorney. He attended the Gonzaga University School of Law, graduating in 2012. He acquired his law license in Washington in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
