Opinion ID: 2334085
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: The Perrotti Matter

Text: Nancy Perrotti (`Grievant') retained respondent to represent her with regard to certain post-judgment matrimonial matters. On August 16, 1985, grievant and her ex-husband reached an agreement, which was placed on the record. Eleven months thereafter, however, the order incorporating the terms of the agreement still had not been submitted for the court's signature. Although respondent testified his adversary was responsible for the preparation of the proposed form of order, he took no steps to submit the order himself, after he discovered the order had not been prepared by his adversary within a reasonable period of time. Without the order, grievant was unable to enforce her right to child support and to the distribution of marital assets. On numerous occasions, grievant attempted to contact respondent to inquire about the order. Her telephone calls were ignored. On April 10, 1986, grievant appeared at respondent's office to request the return of her file. Pursuant to grievant's testimony, respondent replied `you made me wait for my payment. Now, when I'm good and ready, I will give you the file.' (Citation omitted.) Subsequent letters to respondent requesting the return of the file produced no results. Respondent's conduct caused substantial financial injury to grievant inasmuch as she had not received any child support payments since October 1985. Similarly, she has not received the proceeds of the sale of two lots totalling $5,500.00, designed to satisfy her ex-husband's support arrearages as of the date of the agreement.