Opinion ID: 2573333
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: DA10238Complaint by F.S.

Text: Regarding the complaint by F.S., the hearing panel found the following facts by clear and convincing evidence. In November 2006, while Respondent was under suspension by this court, F.R. retained Respondent to represent his son, F.S., in a traffic matter. F.R. was referred to Respondent by KLS, and he paid $308 for the representation of which $280 was received by Respondent and $28 was paid to KLS. After being retained by F.R., Respondent failed to return F.R.'s phone calls or take any action on behalf of F.S. On March 13, 2007, F.R. sought assistance from the Wichita Bar Association's Fee Dispute Committee to get a refund of the unearned fees. The hearing panel noted that as of the date of its report, Respondent had not refunded the $308 paid by F.R. Parenthetically, we observe that at the time of oral argument before this court, Respondent acknowledged he still had not refunded this money. On June 1, 2007, F.R. filed a complaint with the Disciplinary Administrator's office regarding Respondent. On June 27, 2007, the Disciplinary Administrator wrote Respondent and directed him to provide a written reply to the complaint. Respondent failed to provide a written response. This failure made it necessary for a special investigator with the Disciplinary Administrator to contact Respondent by telephone and in writing directing him to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation. Respondent failed to respond to the letter, the telephone calls, or otherwise cooperate in the investigation.