Opinion ID: 1058331
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Matter of Kristen L. Beavers/Michael S. Eavey (Docket Number XX-XXX-XXXX)

Text: Green represented Beavers and Eavey in an action against Allstate Insurance Company (Allstate) for a claim under an insurance policy covering a vehicle they co-owned. Beavers and Eavey claimed that their vehicle had been either vandalized or stolen. Eavey's grandmother paid Green $2,500 for the representation against Allstate. At the hearing before the Board, only Eavey testified, as Beavers was ill in June and unavailable in August. Eavey testified that he met with Green only three times for [m]aybe 10 minutes over the course of his representation from 2000 to 2006. According to Eavey, Green did not inform him that a warrant in debt was filed against Allstate on his and Beavers' behalf, that in December 2000 there was a court date in the general district court, that the lawsuit was removed to the circuit court, that Allstate had propounded discovery to which Eavey needed to respond, or that Allstate had filed a motion to compel. Eavey also testified that Green did not inform him that Allstate's counsel had scheduled depositions to be taken on four separate dates. In August 2002, the circuit court to which the case had been removed entered an order for counsel to appear on November 20, 2002 for entry of a pre-trial order and scheduling a trial date. Green did not provide Eavey with the order, and did not appear on November 20, 2002. The circuit court entered an order in December 2002 dismissing the case without prejudice for failure of the parties to appear. Despite the 2002 dismissal of the lawsuit, in November 2003, Green attempted to negotiate a settlement with Allstate in the amount of $2,500. Allstate responded that the case had been dismissed. Eavey testified that Green did not inform him of the settlement proposal, and Eavey did not authorize settlement. Eavey also testified that he met with Green in November 2003 and demanded a refund of the $2,500, because nothing had been done with his case and it had been too long. Green told Eavey to wait that the insurance company puts those funds on hold for five years and then they'll settle. In December 2005, Beavers and Eavey wrote to Green and demanded a return of their $2,500. At that point in time, five years had elapsed since the case against Allstate had been filed, three years since the case had been dismissed, and two years since Green had attempted to settle the case. Green did not refund any of the $2,500 to them. The Board found by clear and convincing evidence that Green violated Rule 1.4(a), (b), and (c), requiring attorney communication with the client, and Rule 1.16(d), concerning termination of an attorney's representation of the client. Green's disciplinary record was introduced into evidence for the Board's consideration at the August 2008 hearing without objection. The Board imposed an eighteen month suspension, effective August 22, 2008. On October 23, 2008, Green moved to set aside the summary order in the Henley and Beavers/Eavey matters. Green argued that the Board lacked subject matter jurisdiction due to the participation of Grant A. Richardson (Richardson), who had represented Green in prior disciplinary matters, on subcommittees that had certified prior charges against Green. Green also argued that those certifications led to a six month suspension and a forty-five day suspension, imposed in 2007 and reflected on Green's disciplinary record. Green asserted that Richardson's participation on the subcommittees was in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct concerning conflicts of interest. At oral argument on appeal, Green acknowledged that Richardson last represented him in 1998. Green's counsel did not discover Richardson's participation on the 2004 and 2005 subcommittees until October 10, 2008. Green had not complained about those whatsoever until [his counsel] brought it to his attention and [they] discussed it on October the 10th. The Board unanimously decided to overrule the motion to set aside the summary order. On November 17, 2008, Green was served with the Suspension Order entered on November 12, 2008 from which he presently appeals.