Opinion ID: 2611420
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Lisa Gonser

Text: Lisa Gonser retained the respondent on or about July 18, 1996, to represent her in a post-dissolution visitation matter involving her ex-husband. She paid the respondent $400, and he subsequently cashed the check. On July 22, 1996, this court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, effective thirty days thereafter. See People v. Holmes, 921 P.2d 44, 48 (Colo.1996). He did not notify Gonser of his suspension as required by C.R.C.P. 241.21(b). Over a period of weeks, Gonser was unable to contact the respondent. He did finally return the legal materials she had provided him, but he has not returned her $400 or given her any explanation for his conduct. During this period of time, he did not perform any work on her case. In early September 1996, Gonser hired another lawyer. The respondent thereby violated Colo. RPC 1.3 (neglecting a legal matter); Colo. RPC 1.4(a) (failing to communicate appropriately with a client); Colo. RPC 1.15(a) (failing to hold client property separate from the lawyer's own property); Colo. RPC 1.15(b) (failing to return client funds); Colo. RPC 1.16(d) (failing to return client property following termination of employment); Colo. RPC 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation); and C.R.C.P. 241.21(b).