Opinion ID: 1991636
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: The Stevens Matter

Text: In February 1984, Wanda M. Stevens (grievant) retained respondent to represent a friend who was incarcerated at that time. The representation concerned certain unpaid sales taxes by a candy store owned by grievant's friend. Shortly thereafter, grievant paid respondent a cash retainer of $600.00 and submitted the essential documents requested by respondent to start the litigation. She did not hear from respondent again, in spite of her numerous attempts to reach him. In October 1984, grievant retained new counsel, who requested that respondent turn over the file to him. One year later, in October 1985, respondent still had not released the file. New counsel was then forced to file an order to show cause, which was granted. Respondent ignored the court order, thereby precluding grievant from pursuing the matter and from complying with the state tax reporting services. At the conclusion of the district ethics committee hearing, which respondent did not attend, the committee found that respondent had violated DR 7-101(A)(1), (2), (3), DR 1-102(A)(1), (6), DR 7-102(A)(8) and superseding R.P.C. 1.2(a), R.P.C. 1.3, R.P.C. 1.4 and R.P.C. 8.4. Specifically, the committee concluded that respondent had failed to communicate with the client, the client's new counsel and the court; had failed to file a tax return, as instructed; had failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing the client; had failed to respond to the client's reasonable requests for information; had failed to release the file, as ordered by the court; had failed to explain the matter to the client to enable him to make an informed decision; and had been guilty of misconduct. The committee recommended that a presentment be brought against respondent.