Opinion ID: 2343627
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Complaint of Wanda Owens

Text: In September 2000, Respondent was retained by Wanda Owens (hereinafter `Ms. Owens') to represent her in a personal injury claim. Ms. Owens was injured in September 2000, after a fall at Lexington Market in Baltimore, Maryland. Respondent agreed to handle Ms. Owens' matter on a contingent fee basis. The terms of the contingent fee agreement were not communicated to Ms. Owens in writing. However, Respondent advised Ms. Owens that he would file suit on her behalf. During the course of the representation, Ms. Owens tried to communicate with Respondent. Ms. Owens called Respondent on several occasions, often leaving messages asking Respondent to contact her. However, many of her phone calls went unreturned. From approximately September 2001 until September 2003, Respondent took no action on behalf of Ms. Owens with respect to her claim. Accordingly, on or about September 4, 2003, Ms. Owens sent a letter to Respondent discharging him and requesting that he surrender her papers to her, so that she could retain a new attorney. Respondent did not return Ms. Owens' papers to her. On September 8, 2003, or four (4) days after being terminated by Ms. Owens, Respondent filed a Complaint in the District Court of Maryland on behalf of Ms. Owens against the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City, Andy's Steaks and Subs, Cajun Joe's Take Out, and Berger's Food. Respondent presented a check drawn from his business account, in the amount of $20, to the Clerk of the District Court of Maryland, for the filing fee. However, the check was returned for insufficient funds. The court clerk notified Respondent of his returned check, but he did not present a new check to the District Court of Maryland for payment of the filing fee until November 3, 2003, two (2) months after the initial filing of the Complaint. On or about September 10, 2003, the District Court of Maryland sent a Memorandum notifying Respondent that the writs of summons could not be issued until he provided to the court clerk the names of the officers, resident agents or persons authorized to accept service for the named defendants in the Owens Complaint. Respondent failed to do so. As a result. Respondent failed to perfect service on the defendants. During Bar Counsel's investigation. Respondent failed to respond in a timely manner to requests for information. Despite repeated requests, Respondent failed to provide copies of his client file of Ms. Owens to the Office of Bar Counsel. On October 14, 2003 and November 25, 2003, Assistant Bar Counsel Lee sent letters to Respondent requesting copies of his file of Ms. Owens. On or about December 15, 2003, Respondent sent a letter to Ms. Lee stating that he would provide her with `all requested information prior to the Christmas holiday.' However, Respondent did not do so.