Opinion ID: 2591097
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: The Randal Oxley Matter

Text: In May 2007, David Larkin, an attorney working for Respondent's firm Martin & Henson, P.C., contacted Randal Oxley and solicited his services as an expert witness in the field of patent infringement. Mr. Oxley agreed and both he and Mr. Larkin executed the law firm's written expert agreement. Mr. Larkin also sent Mr. Oxley a retainer to cover eight hours of work. Finally, Mr. Larkin advised Mr. Oxley that his expert report was due on August 24, 2007. Mr. Oxley completed his expert report on August 23, 2007. Mr. Oxley forwarded his bill for services to Molly Johnson, a staff member of Martin & Henson, P.C. Having not been paid, Mr. Oxley began calling Ms. Johnson on September 10, 2007, inquiring about the status of payment by the firm for his invoice. Ms. Johnson informed him that she would speak to Respondent about the status of the payment, but that she believed the firm was waiting for the client to provide a cost retainer to cover Mr. Oxley's invoice. Later, Mr. Larkin contacted Mr. Oxley and advised him that Mr. Larkin was leaving Martin & Henson, P.C. He stated that the firm would pay Mr. Oxley's bill. Ms. Johnson also told Mr. Oxley in October 2007 that she thought the client had provided the cost retainer so his bill would be paid soon. Mr. Oxley continued to call Ms. Johnson, as well as Respondent, through the end of October, still awaiting payment. Then, in late October, Respondent called Mr. Oxley, assured him that he would be paid, but insisted that Mr. Oxley first forward the expert report by November 5, 2007. Mr. Oxley replied on November 1, 2007 that he would not send the report without payment, first, to which Respondent promised to place a check for $5,000.00 in Federal Express that day and requested that Mr. Oxley place his report in Federal Express as well. Mr. Oxley did not send the report, and he never received the promised $5,000.00 check, or any additional funds, from Respondent, despite his multiple attempts to contact Respondent. Mr. Oxley is still owed $8,749.91 for his work on Respondent's client's behalf. As a result of this conduct, Respondent violated Colo. RPC 8.4(c).