A Washington attorney has voluntarily stepped away from practice to avoid public disciplinary proceedings, this time following findings that he treated client trust funds with the spontaneity of a personal checking account.
Hari L. Alipuria, a Tacoma-based lawyer admitted to practice in 1997, formally ended his membership with the Washington State Bar Association on February 5, 2026, through a resignation submitted in lieu of formal discipline.
The move follows an investigation by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, which uncovered a sustained practice of drawing from client-held funds to finance a wide array of personal obligations over multiple years.
The case highlights how an attorney previously disciplined for professional lapses continued to operate without meaningful financial safeguards for nearly three years.
Client Money Used for Daily Life Expenses
According to a formal Statement of Alleged Misconduct submitted by the ODC, Alipuria operated a trust account at U.S. Bank ending in 1174, designated to hold client property pending disbursement. WSBA rules require such accounts remain strictly separate from personal assets and that attorneys keep detailed registers, individual client ledgers, and conduct regular reconciliations—all of which Alipuria omitted.
From January 2022 through October 2024, the ODC documented repeated withdrawals and transfers from the trust account for non-client purposes. Personal costs covered by client funds included monthly office lease payments, homeowners association assessments, gym membership fees, telecommunications services, and frequent Amazon purchases.
In addition, Alipuria made several unexplained cash withdrawals directly from the trust and allowed his own funds to blend with client holdings without formal tracking or documentation.
False Statements During Formal Inquiry
The scrutiny intensified after Alipuria provided sworn testimony during a March 13, 2024, deposition. Investigators noted discrepancies between his oral statements and documentary evidence, characterizing his disclosures as part of a broader effort to obscure the misuse of funds.
Under oath, he asserted that full trust accounting was maintained—despite supporting records being absent or incomplete. He also mischaracterized certain expenditures, describing personal outlays as having direct ties to active client matters.
The ODC cited violations of several ethical rules, including standards governing honesty and integrity in professional conduct, and prohibited conduct involving deception, fraud, or misrepresentation.
Previous Sanctions Did Not Prevent Recurrence
Alipuria’s current challenges follow an earlier disciplinary episode in 2004, when he received a 90-day suspension for inadequate representation of a client and noncompliance with terms of a prior agreement.
Despite this earlier warning, his trust account remained unmonitored, allowing the pattern of personal use to persist for years before the bar stepped in.
Permanent Exit from Legal Practice
With substantial evidence amassed against him, Alipuria opted to preempt a contested hearing. On February 4, 2026, he executed a Resignation in Lieu of Discipline, acknowledging his understanding of the alleged misconduct and affirming his intent to withdraw permanently.
Under Enforcement of Lawyer Discipline Rule 9.3(b), the resignation carries the weight of disbarment. He is now prohibited from seeking readmission or reinstatement to the Washington bar, and must inform all other jurisdictions where he holds licenses of his departure.
A Tacoma attorney has been permanently disbarred, agreeing to cover $1,500 in expenses associated with the disciplinary proceedings. The lawyer is also liable for any further restitution or costs that a Review Committee might later mandate.
This outcome underscores the often delayed response of state authorities in monitoring legal professionals. The case illustrates how clients, who rely on the legal system to protect their assets during difficult periods, may find those funds used for personal benefits. In this instance, the misappropriated money was utilized to pay for the attorney’s private gym membership.