Animated Lawyer Fined $500

A Spokane Valley lawyer known for his animated courtroom style was penalized for losing his cool Wednesday.

John R. Clark was slapped with a $500 contempt fine for “insolent behavior” during a routine District Court hearing.

Judge Richard J. Richard cited Clark’s disrespect in a written order filed the same day.

“It is the court’s opinion that attorney Clark displayed anger, disrespect, contemptuous and insolent behavior toward the court … impairing the court’s authority,” Richard wrote.

According to the contempt order, Clark became angry after Richard refused to grant a continuance in a probation-violation case until the attorney filed a form indicating he was representing the defendant.

Clark said he is appealing the fine “because I didn’t do anything wrong.A partner in the law firm Crary & Clark, he has been practicing law for 14 years.

Clark has served on the board of governors of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association. In 1991, he was honored as Spokane County attorney of the year for volunteering time and services to low-income people.