Opinion ID: 2343627
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Complaint of Katrina Frisby

Text: In September 2001, Katrina Frisby (hereinafter `Ms. Frisby') retained Respondent's services with respect to any and all claims she may have arising from an automobile accident that occurred on or about September 22, 2001. Respondent and Ms. Frisby signed a contingent fee retainer agreement on or about September 25, 2001. At the time she retained Respondent, Ms. Frisby gave Respondent her original medical bills and documents relating to her automobile accident. In 2001, Respondent sent letters to Ms. Frisby's medical care providers requesting Ms. Frisby's medical records. On or about January 9, 2002, Respondent sent a letter to the opposing party's insurance company, State Farm Insurance Company, with copies of Ms. Frisby's medical records and bills, requesting to discuss settlement. After January 2002, Respondent ceased communication with Ms. Frisby. Respondent did not return Ms. Frisby's phone calls to his office or his cellular phone. Upon the request of Ms. Frisby, meetings were scheduled between Respondent and Ms. Frisby. Respondent cancelled or failed to appear for these appointments. In March 2003, Ms. Frisby went to James L. Rhodes, Esquire, Respondent's former law partner, to assist her in obtaining her file. On March 31, 2003, Mr. Rhodes sent a letter to Respondent requesting the return of Ms. Frisby's file. However, Respondent did not respond to that letter. Accordingly, on or about May 21, 2003, Mr. Rhodes sent another letter to Respondent, via certified mail, requesting the return of Ms. Frisby's file. On or about June 6, 2003, Respondent sent a letter to Mr. Rhodes refusing to return Ms. Frisby her file until she paid him $2000, which he claimed was an `earned fee in the event of termination before the completion of the representation.' Ms. Frisby requested that Respondent provide her with his statement of services and accounting for his claim of $2000 in fees. Respondent, however, did not respond to her request. On November 13, 2003, Ms. Frisby discharged Respondent and retained a new attorney, Phillip L. Potts. Esquire, who also requested that Respondent return Ms. Frisby's file. Respondent still did not return Ms. Frisby's original documents. Approximately four (4) months later, on or about March 9, 2004, Respondent filed a one page complaint in the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City on behalf of Ms. Frisby. The complaint was hand-written on a form Statement of Claim. Respondent did not advise Ms. Frisby or her new attorney that he filed a complaint on her behalf. The complaint was filed after Ms. Frisby filed a grievance complaint with the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland. No other action was taken after Respondent filed the complaint. Other than writing the letters to the medical care providers and the insurance company, Respondent performed no other work on behalf of Ms. Frisby during the time he was retained by her. Although Respondent filed a complaint in court on behalf of Ms. Frisby, he did so several months after Ms. Frisby discharged him and he failed to advise her that he had done so. During the time he was retained by Ms. Frisby, Respondent failed to communicate with her regarding the status of her case. On May 16, 2003, Bar Counsel sent a letter to Respondent requesting copies of his file for Ms. Frisby. On or about May 29, 2003, Respondent sent a letter to Bar Counsel stating that he would not release his file of Ms. Frisby to Bar Counsel until he received an executed release by Ms. Frisby, and to direct any further communication to his attorney, Jill P. Carter, Esquire. On June 26, 2003, Deputy Bar Counsel sent Respondent's purported attorney, Ms. Carter, the requested executed authorization of Ms Frisby permitting the release of her file. Ms. Carter later advised Assistant Bar Counsel Marianne J. Lee, that she was not representing Respondent. On October 14, 2003 and November 3, 2003, Assistant Bar Counsel Lee sent letters to Respondent, again requesting copies of his client file of Ms. Frisby. Respondent did not respond to those letters.