The Oregon State Bar is petitioning the Oregon Supreme Court to immediately suspend Bend attorney John A. Walsh’s license while it investigates nearly a dozen complaints filed against him in the past two months alleging malpractice, violence, harassment and other erratic behavior.

It is uncommon for the bar, the licensing, disciplinary and regulatory body for attorneys in Oregon, to request the Supreme Court issue an interim suspension while a lawyer’s case is reviewed, said Public Information Officer Kateri Walsh. However, the allegations made against Walsh suggest he could pose a significant risk to the public, she said.

“We usually can only suspend a lawyer after a finding by a disciplinary panel with a significant amount of due process involved, so it can take a while,” Kateri Walsh said. “In this case, the disciplinary counsel’s office determined … it would behoove us to seek his interim suspension while the disciplinary investigation continues.”

Harassment and malpractice

Ten clients have filed complaints against John A. Walsh, 66, over the past several months. All of them state he accepted retainer deposits yet provided little to no legal services. He also missed court dates, acted bizarrely and sent cryptic emails to opposing counsel.

But John Walsh’s actions escalated when he began harassing clients, according to the Oregon State Bar’s petition.

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Thane Merritt filed a complaint detailing that Walsh would refuse to speak to her about her case and would only speak about his personal life. After she asked him to withdraw as her lawyer, Walsh messaged her 54 times in group texts with strangers. Merritt was subsequently granted a restraining order against Walsh.

Another complaint was lodged by Bryce Tanner Lupton, who hired Walsh after he was charged with felony manslaughter when he caused a car crash that killed Jacobic Lee Barnhill on Sept. 23 in Bend. Despite receiving a $15,000 retainer from Lupton, Walsh missed four court appearances.

Lupton also alleges Walsh has been harassing his family, placing more than 30 calls and texts intimidating Lupton’s parents into performing tasks unrelated to his case. In one instance, Walsh forced Lupton’s stepfather to drive him around Bend, where they visited a church and Walsh’s ex-wife’s house, according to Lupton’s complaint. The complaint also says Walsh verbally abused Lupton’s mother.

In addition to the complaints made by clients, a Hood River County Circuit Court judge filed a grievance against Walsh after he failed to show up to two court hearings. It became increasingly clear to Judge John Olson that Walsh was acting erratically, so he barred Walsh from entering the courtroom.

Substance abuse and criminal charges

The petition to disbar John Walsh paints the picture of a man struggling with alcohol abuse and mental health as it recounts Walsh’s recent decline through the eyes of his legal assistant, Christopher Farrar. Walsh hired Farrar in 2023 after he helped Walsh set up his computer. Farrar worked with Walsh for six months before resigning over ethical concerns, according to the bar’s petition.

The petition shows Farrar corroborated accounts that Walsh would accept client funds but perform no substantive work on those cases. Most of the work accomplished during his tenure, Farrar said, was completed by himself despite the fact he had no previous legal experience. Farrar also said Walsh would meet with clients and attend court hearings while intoxicated.

Around the time Farrar resigned in 2024, Walsh hired Mark Kehoe to do contract work in his home. When Kehoe arrived, Walsh struck him several times, according to the petition. The event prompted law enforcement to obtain an extreme risk protection order, which required Walsh to surrender any firearms on the belief he was at risk of hurting himself or others.

After Walsh was criminally charged with harassing Kehoe, as well as a separate violation of a stalking order, he failed to appear in court, resulting in two warrants for his arrest. In those criminal matters, Walsh submitted a waiver of extradition on his own behalf stating he may “travel around the world,” and listing Jesus Christ as his mental health provider.

Next steps for the Oregon State Bar

Kateri Walsh said there is no timeline in which the Oregon Supreme Court is required to review the petition to immediately suspend John Walsh’s license. These types of petitions rarely happen, she said, and only three of its kind have been filed since 2021. Once the Oregon Supreme Court decides whether or not to grant the immediate suspension, it will review whether or not to permanently disbar John Walsh.

“The other thing we wanted to do is make sure that the community is informed in case there are other clients out there who may have matters pending or their legal cases could be put in jeopardy,” Kateri Walsh said.

Clients who have hired John Walsh and have concerns can reach out to the Oregon State Bar’s Client Assistance Office, or call 503-620-0222 or 800-452-8260. The Oregon State Bar will help those clients sort though information about their cases and transfer necessary records to a new attorney, Kateri Walsh said.