Originally published March 16, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 16, 2007 at 5:01 PM
U.S. Attorney candidate White can't practice law in this state
Former Congressman Rick White, one of the three men whose names reportedly have been submitted as candidates for U.S. Attorney for Western Washington...
Seattle Times staff reporter
Former Congressman Rick White, one of the three men whose names reportedly have been submitted as candidates for U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, is not authorized to practice law in Washington.
White's license was suspended by the state Supreme Court in August 2003 for failing to pay his bar dues. He was reinstated to the bar in 2005 after paying a small fee, but currently holds an "inactive" status.
That means he can not practice law in Washington until he pays his full bar dues, about $390, and demonstrates that he is current on required Continuing Legal Education classes, said Washington State Bar spokeswoman Judy Berrett.
Berrett said the suspension is "non-disciplinary" and that White has never been publicly disciplined by the Bar since he was first admitted in 1983.
Without an active bar license, White cannot practice law in state courts. To appear in federal court — where virtually all of the U.S. attorney's cases are heard — White will have to submit an application, be approved by a federal judge, and have a local attorney sponsor him, said Janet Bubnis, the chief deputy clerk in the U.S. District Court for Western Washington.
White, contacted at home Thursday night, said he could not talk about his situation "because the White House has very strict rules about commenting on this process.
"I understand I'm in a bad position," he said. "I wish I could explain, but I can't."
Likewise, a spokeswoman for Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, said his office would have no comment. Reichert was assigned to oversee the selection process to replace John McKay, a President Bush appointee who was fired as U.S. attorney last month.
Reichert had picked King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng to lead the panel and submit candidates. The Seattle Times reported Thursday that White was among the three candidates whose names were submitted to the White House. The others are Interim U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Sullivan and Seattle attorney Mike Vaska. Both Sullivan and Vaska are listed as "active" members of the state bar.
Maleng's spokesman, Dan Donohoe, said the prosecutor would have no comment.
White's name was among 144 names submitted to the state Supreme Court for suspension for failing to pay bar dues in August 2003. He was reinstated to "inactive" status in July 2005.
White served as the representative in the 1st Congressional District from 1995-99. For the next four years, he was chief executive officer and president of TechNet, a lobbying organization based in Silicon Valley.
Mike Carter: 206-464-3706 or mcarter@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
First key vote today on Senate health bill
Conflicting blast reports reflect fear in Pakistan
Genetics anti-bias law takes effect
Senate panel reveals more troubling e-mails from Fort Hood suspect

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Monfort fired after excellent worker turned unreliable
- Sentence request for US woman in Italy murder case
- 31 years for man who killed girlfriend, then lit cigarette and waited for police
- Boeing facility death was suicide
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Swedish threatens to end Regence BlueShield's contract
- Man falls 8 stories, suffers minor injuries
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Mariners Blog | Dustin Ackley to move to second base; Mariners add six to 40-man roster
- First key vote today on Senate health bill
164 - Mariners add six to 40-man roster
104 - Boeing breaks ground for historic SC plant
97 - Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
79 - Man shot in Capitol Hill
71 - Senate vote clears hurdle
69 - Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
67 - Bye week answers, volume four
46 - Case of accused "Street Mobb" pimp goes to jury
45 - Saturday links
45
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Swedish threatens to end Regence BlueShield's contract
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- Restaurant review | Artisanal at The Bravern shows French flair in delicious style
- Peruvian police: Gang killed people for their fat
- Seattle industrial artist Rusty Oliver is the man behind 'Smash Putt'
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- $335 million in education grants





