Opinion ID: 1169136
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Failure to Respond to Informal Complaint

Text: The remaining four counts in the stipulation concern the fact that the respondent failed to respond to informal complaints filed against him by Seberson, Cox and Cowan, Ida Mae Marquez, and Rafferty. The respondent's misconduct in this regard violated C.R.C.P. 241.6(7) (failure to respond to a request by the Grievance Committee without good cause). The respondent has not received prior discipline by either the Grievance Committee or by the Colorado Supreme Court. However, on May 6, 1982, he was suspended from the practice of law on an interim basis. He has remained suspended to the present and has been placed on temporary disability inactive status. He requests that the period of his disbarment be measured from May 6, 1982, the date of his suspension, but does not condition his stipulation on agreement to that request. We believe, however, that the seriousness of the misconduct in this case would make it inappropriate to honor that request. In approving the recommended discipline, we are aware that the respondent was diagnosed as suffering from a serious mental disorder that adversely affected his ability to function appropriately as a lawyer when his professional misconduct occurred. This is detailed in our opinion today in People v. Quick, 713 P.2d 1282 (Colo.1986), and is corroborated by opinions of mental health professionals appearing in the record of the case now before us. The parties, however, do not allude to that matter in their stipulation and recommendation for disbarment. Under these circumstances, and given the severe adverse effect of the respondent's activities on his clients, we are willing to accept that disbarment is the appropriate consequence of the respondent's misconduct. The respondent, Jerry E. Quick, is disbarred from the practice of law. His disbarment shall be measured from the date of this opinion. In accordance with the stipulation, the respondent is ordered to restore the $20,000 taken from Lowell Seberson and Marvin Williams and the $26,000 owed to Helen Cowan Cox and James Cowan, and is further to restore to James Rafferty any amounts of Rafferty's assets not applied as the respondent had promised. As agreed in the stipulation, the respondent shall pay the costs of this proceeding in the amount of $1,328.50 to the Colorado Supreme Court Grievance Committee, Dominion Plaza Building, 600 17th Street, No. 500-S, Denver, Colorado 80202 within thirty days from the date of this opinion.