Opinion ID: 2603915
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Johnson Estate Matter.

Text: In July 1973, respondent was retained by Melinda Cain, granddaughter of Averill C. Johnson, deceased, and the administratrix of his estate, to complete the administration of the estate begun in July 1972 by other counsel. The assets of the estate consisted of cash, bonds, personal property and one piece of real estate. The respondent was paid his fees in full in December 1973. Throughout 1974 and 1975, the administratrix made repeated requests to respondent to close the estate; he repeatedly assured her that the estate would be expeditiously closed. In the fall of 1975, the administratrix, who lived in Washington, D. C., employed a Washington lawyer for the purpose of compelling the respondent to terminate the estate proceedings. After telephone calls and letters importuning the respondent to take the necessary steps to close the estate and reminding him of an informal complaint to the Grievance Committee filed by the administratrix, the respondent finally closed the estate on January 20, 1977. The Hearing Committee's conclusion: Although there were some delays occasioned by the frequent changes of address and frequent travel by the administratrix the Committee concludes that the respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to him in violation of the provisions of DR 6-101(A)(3). Failure to conclude a relatively simple estate within a period of approximately three and one-half years is, in the opinion of the Hearing Committee, inexcusable. The respondent accepted the findings and conclusions as to Count II.