Opinion ID: 1608332
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Count I The Stokes/Crockett Matter

Text: In March 2003, Lois Stokes and Michael Crockett hired respondent to represent Mr. Crockett in a criminal matter. They paid respondent $1,500, with the understanding that they would pay an additional $500 when Mr. Crockett was released from jail. Respondent properly handled the representation until May 2003, when she began a new job as an assistant district attorney for the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office, which required her to relocate from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. Respondent relocated without properly notifying her client and without providing an accounting or refund of unearned fees. In July 2003, Ms. Stokes filed a complaint against respondent with the ODC. Respondent failed to fully cooperate with the ODC in its investigation, necessitating the issuance of a subpoena to obtain her sworn statement. During her April 27, 2004 sworn statement, respondent indicated that she planned to provide Ms. Stokes with an accounting and refund of unearned fees by April 29, 2004. Respondent did not provide the $1,500 refund to Ms. Stokes until August 2004. The ODC alleged that respondent's conduct violated Rules 1.4 (failure to communicate with a client), 1.5 (fee arrangements  failure to account for or refund an unearned fee), 1.16(d) (obligations upon termination of the representation), 8.1(c) (failure to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation), and 8.4(a) (violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.