Opinion ID: 1995600
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: DR 6-101(A)(3): Neglect

Text: Bar Counsel alleged, and the Hearing Committee found, that O'Donnell neglected the legal matter entrusted to him by the Donnellys. O'Donnell reviewed the lease agreement before the Donnellys entered into that agreement with the St. Charles Hotel. Thus, O'Donnell was aware of what the lease required the Donnellys to do within specified time periods in order to fulfill their obligations under the lease agreement. The Donnellys retained O'Donnell to assist in satisfying the terms of the lease agreement: to form a District of Columbia corporation and to file on behalf of that corporation an ABC license application. O'Donnell took no action on either matter within the specified time periods. He failed to file articles of incorporation and failed to file an ABC license application within thirty days of April 5, 1982, the date the lease agreement was executed. [3] O'Donnell had an obligation to either act within the time limitations or to withdraw as the Donnellys' counsel. He did neither. O'Donnell's failure to act with respect to the formation of the corporation and the filing of the ABC license application within the specified time periods constitutes neglect of a legal matter entrusted to him.