Former judge and lawmaker suspended as lawyer

Former Washoe District Judge and Nevada Assemblyman Jim Stone has been suspended from practicing law because of complaints by several of his clients.

Stone served in the Nevada Assembly from 1983 to 1986 and as a Washoe District judge from 1991 until he was defeated by Steve Elliott in 1997.

The Supreme Court this week ordered Stone's license to practice temporarily suspended, agreeing with a Nevada Bar Association petition that "Stone poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the public."

He is barred from practicing law "pending resolution of the formal disciplinary proceedings against him."

According to the Bar Association petition, Stone faces four grievances and five additional complaints, all received since June, "which contain evidence that respondent has misappropriated client funds, has failed to respond to numerous court orders and has failed to comply with federal and local court rules and procedures."

"In view of the number of complainants and their respective allegations, the State Bar is convinced that respondent's professional abilities have diminished substantially whereby his clients' interests have been compromised, financially and otherwise," the petition says."

When Bar Association officials tried to contact Stone about the allegations, the petition says, they learned he had vacated his Reno law offices, disconnected his phone and provided no referral number or forwarding address.

One former client complained she sent Stone $500 to post as a bond in her case, but that the money was never posted to the court.

In a letter dated Nov. 16 to the Bar Association, Washoe District Chief Judge Janet Berry asked for immediate action to address his failure to properly represent clients, saying she has reviewed about 75 cases in which Stone is counsel of record.

"I am likewise concerned that a number of these cases are not receiving the benefit of appropriate legal representation," Berry's letter says.

The petition lists several cases in which clients have filed complaints about Stone for failing to do anything on their cases.

But it says most serious is the charge that he misappropriated client trust-fund money, pointing out that there may be other cases not reported yet involving misrepresentation or misappropriation of client trust funds.

Citing the need to protect prospective clients, the Bar Association urged Stone's license to practice be suspended pending a full investigation.

Stone could not be reached. His office number has been disconnected and directory assistance had no new listing for a James A. Stone either as an attorney or resident.