Disbarred lawyer Quichocho closes office, currently in WA

Disbarred lawyer Ramon K. Quichocho informed the Superior Court yesterday that he is currently in Tacoma, Washington, and that he has already closed down his office on Saipan.

In his declaration, Quichocho said he moved all his active client files with the help of his brother, who is currently inventorying the files.

Quichocho filed the declaration along with a stipulation that his counsel, Edward C. Arriola, and disciplinary counsel George L. Hasselback signed.

In the stipulation, Arriola and Hasselback agreed to postpone the order to show cause hearing scheduled yesterday, to Aug. 27, 2014.

Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho, who issued the order to show cause on July 15, approved the stipulation.

In that order, Camacho ordered Quichocho to explain why he should not be held in contempt for not filing an affidavit as required in the court’s suspension order.

Camacho ordered Quichocho to appear in court supposedly yesterday at 1:30pm to explain why he has not filed the affidavit as required by Rule 15(d) of the Commonwealth Disciplinary Rules and Procedures, and why he should not be held in contempt of court. The judge allowed Quichocho to make arrangements to appear telephonically or by videoconference if necessary.

Under Rule 15(d), within 10 days after the effective date of a disbarment or suspension order, the disbarred or suspended attorney shall file with the Superior Court an affidavit showing, among other things, that he or she has complied with the provisions of the order.

Last May 28, Camacho suspended Quichocho’s license to practice law in the CNMI for three years for professional misconduct by using a legal tool to harass a former client to obtain payment.

In his declaration yesterday, Quichocho said he has yet to comply with the provisions of Camacho’s order and with Rule 15, because he has been out of the CNMI since June 10, 2014, for medical and personal reasons.

Quichocho said he will continue to be off-island for three more months. He promised to do his best to comply with Rule 15 requirements on or before Aug. 27, 2014.

Quichocho said for some of his clients, he either mailed the notifications by certified mail, return receipt requested, by email, and/or by personal delivery of the notifications.

Pursuant to Rule 15(d)(2) of the Disciplinary Rules and Procedures, Quichocho certified that he has notified all other state, territorial, federal and administrative jurisdictions to which he is admitted to practice of the disciplinary action against him.

Specifically, he said he notified the CNMI Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the NMI of his suspension.

Quichocho said he is still transitioning to his new temporary residence, which is unknown at this time.

Camacho recently ordered Quichocho’s disbarment from the practice of law in CNMI courts for professional misconduct in representing his then-client, Jung Ja Kim.

Last March 28, a federal jury reached a unanimous verdict, holding Quichocho, his wife, and his law firm liable to pay $2.4 million in damages to Kim, who filed a racketeering lawsuit against them.

Superior Court Associate Judge David A. Wiseman also recently ordered a public reprimand against Quichocho for professional misconduct in connection with another Bar complaint.