Opinion ID: 1919646
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Docket Number 25-84: Jackson Complaint

Text: Ms. Hattie M. Jackson had consulted Respondent in 1982 concerning issues related to the death of Mr. Carey D. Lowrey, a man with whom she had lived. Respondent had advised Ms. Jackson that she might have a claim against the estate as a common law spouse. On August 20, 1982, Respondent wrote the estate's attorney that he was seeking a statutory share in the case for his client. On September 7, 1982, Respondent was contacted in writing by the estate's attorney, indicating that Ms. Jackson's status had not yet been established and requesting evidentiary support for her claim to be a common law spouse. Ms. Jackson testified that Respondent told her that he had filed a claim against the estate. There is no evidence that Respondent did file a claim. On the last day allowed for filing an action to contest to the estate, Respondent contacted the estate's lawyer. In response to the telephone call, the estate's attorney again requested documentation concerning Ms. Jackson's claim. Respondent failed to respond. On March 21, 1983, and May 12, 1983, the estate's attorney, again, to no avail, tried to solicit a response from Respondent. Ms. Jackson also had tried to contact Respondent. He failed to respond to her. Respondent did advise Ms. Jackson to not cash a check that she had received from the estate to reimburse her for funeral expenses. Up to the time of the hearing, Ms. Jackson had not been reimbursed. Ms. Jackson retained new counsel, who requested Respondent to forward her file. Respondent did not do so. Bar Counsel charged Respondent with violating DR 6-101(A)(3), neglect of Ms. Jackson's claim against the Lowrey estate and in failing to respond to his client; DR 7-101(A)(1), intentional failure to seek the lawful objectives of his client; DR 1-102(A)(4), misrepresenting to his client that he had filed a formal claim against the estate; and DR 9-103(B)(4), failure to return his client's papers to her upon request. The Hearing Committee found that Respondent had neglected Ms. Jackson's claim against the Lowrey estate in that, after he had notified the personal representative of a possible spousal interest, he did little else to pursue the claim, even in response to the personal representative's repeated promptings. [5] We agree. Finally, the Hearing Committee found that Respondent had violated DR 2-110(A)(3) in failing to return to his client her file. We agree. See discussion, supra, concerning DR 9-103(B)(4) charge with respect to Turnbow complaint.