Disbarred lawyer is on state supreme court ballot, along with his 'Zamboni' nickname
A former lawyer is running for a seat on the Washington Supreme Court in hopes of toppling the justice who wrote the opinion disbarring him in 2010.
John Scannell will be on the ballot with his “Zamboni” nickname, gained from a previous job operating a Zamboni at Seattle hockey games, report Reuters and the Stranger.
The opinion disbarring Scannel said he characterized the disciplinary system as “fascist” and spent five years “engaged in a deliberate attempt to stonewall, prolong and ultimately defeat the disciplinary proceedings against him,” according to a 2010 story by the Seattle Times.
The court found Scannell’s conduct during the discipline process more troubling than the initial alleged misconduct—allowing a suspended lawyer to do legal work in his name, and failing to obtain informed consent about a potential conflict of interest when he represented a husband and wife in a criminal case.
The Secretary of State’s office checks to make sure candidates are registered voters, but does not do anything further to check eligibility for office, a spokesman told the publications. The Washington state constitution says justices must be admitted to practice law.
Scannell is challenging Justice Debra Stephens, who told the Stranger she did not challenge his eligibility because it would have given him publicity and a chance to relitigate the disbarment.
Hat tip to the Legal Profession Blog.
