Opinion ID: 1718159
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Wimler Matter

Text: The fifth count of misconduct involved Brehmer's representation of Elaina Wimler, which began on February 8, 1999. Wimler retained Brehmer to bring a motion on her behalf to change the custody agreement regarding her minor children. She paid Brehmer a $2,500 retainer fee, but Brehmer did not place the retainer into a trust account. In preparation for her hearing, Brehmer instructed Wimler to sign a blank signature page, which Brehmer then notarized. Brehmer attached the blank signature page to a draft affidavit he prepared, and he submitted the document to the court. Wimler never had the opportunity to correct Brehmer's mistakes or inaccuracies. After mandatory mediation, Brehmer put the matter back on for hearing and obtained another hearing date, but he failed to support his motion with additional papers and has declined Wimler's request to prepare a supplemental affidavit for Wimler's signature. Brehmer has not provided Wimler with an accounting of her retainer, nor has he refunded any of the retainer.