Robert Grundstein v. Washington State Bar Associati

MEMORANDUM

Robert H. Grundstein, a disbarred Washington attorney, appeals pro se from the district court’s judgment dismissing his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action arising out of his state bar disciplinary proceedings. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We review de novo. Colony Cove Props., LLC v. City of Carson, 640 F.3d 948, 955 (9th Cir.2011) (dismissal under Fed. R.Civ.P. 12(b)(1) and (6)); Gilbertson v. Albright, 381 F.3d 965 , 982 n. 19 (9th Cir.2004) (Younger abstention). We affirm.

The district court properly dismissed Grundstein’s request for injunctive and declaratory relief as barred by the Younger abstention doctrine because federal courts are required to abstain from interfering with pending state court proceedings. See Gilbertson, 381 F.3d at 975 (listing the requirements for Younger abstention and explaining that the doctrine applies to actions for declaratory relief); Hirsh v. Justices of Supreme Court of State of Cal., 67 F.3d 708, 712-15 (9th Cir.1995) (dismissing action arising from state bar disciplinary proceedings as barred by the Younger abstention doctrine).

The district court properly dismissed Grundstein’s request for damages because the Washington…