Opinion ID: 1849814
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Kouba Grievance

Text: In regard to count II, there is clear and convincing evidence that James violated DR 1-102(A)(1) and (5). James was initially notified by the Counsel for Discipline of Kouba's grievance on April 3, 2002. James was directed to provide an appropriate response within 15 working days and was notified that by failing to do so, he would be subject to discipline. On April 4, James turned over Kouba's file to Kouba's new attorney; however, James failed to file a response with the Counsel for Discipline. The Counsel for Discipline wrote to James on April 25, 2002, and again on May 8, requesting a response to the grievance. However, it was not until June 4, when the Assistant Counsel for Discipline threatened to request a temporary suspension of his license, that James telephoned to set up a meeting to discuss Kouba's grievance. Moreover, it was not until June 12 that James filed his written response to Kouba's grievance. By failing to respond to the grievance within 15 days of the notification and failing to timely respond to the repeated inquiries from the Counsel for Discipline, James violated DR 1-102(A)(1) and (5). In addition, there is clear and convincing evidence that James violated DR 9-102(B)(4) by failing to promptly turn over Kouba's file to his new attorney. On February 20, 2002, Kouba discharged James and instructed James to deliver Kouba's file to his new attorney. James, however, did not deliver Kouba's file until April 4, which was 1 day after James received written correspondence from the Counsel for Discipline regarding the Kouba grievance. James contends that Kouba was not prejudiced by his inaction and that, therefore, no discipline should spring from his delayed response. James' argument is without merit. Although it may be true that the delayed delivery of Kouba's file did not prejudice Kouba's claim, it hardly excuses James' conduct or justifies his inaction. The more relevant question is whether James failed to promptly turn over Kouba's file by retaining it for more than 6 weeks after it was requested by Kouba. Here we draw guidance from In re Hunter, 163 Vt. 599, 656 A.2d 203 (1994), where the Supreme Court of Vermont determined that an attorney who retained a client's file for over 2 months after it was requested by the client violated DR 9-102(B)(4). See, also, State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Rasmussen, 266 Neb. 100, 662 N.W.2d 556 (2003) (attorney violated DR 9-102(B)(4) by waiting several months to return unused portion of retainer to client despite repeated requests from client and Counsel for Discipline). We conclude that under these circumstances, a delay of more than 6 weeks was dilatory and constitutes a violation of DR 9-102(B)(4).