Opinion ID: 2595336
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Count III, Dawar

Text: The complainant was unable to appear and her written complaint was ordered stricken from the record as being hearsay. The panel report states the charge of failure to communicate was admitted, but those portions of the complaint were denied by the respondent. The evidence clearly showed a billing statement that was grossly inaccurate and excused by respondent as being prepared by a third party. This is not a valid excuse. Although the fee dispute was resolved by the bar-sponsored fee resolution procedure, respondent's actions clearly show a violation of KRPC 1.5 (1999 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 312) (fees). The billing sent was excessive and contained admitted errors. The record on this charge, despite the absence of testimony by Dawar, upholds the finding of this violation. However, as to the remaining charges regarding KRPC 1.4 (1999 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 303) (communication), 1.16 (1999 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 352) (terminating representation), and 8.4 (1999 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 399) (misconduct), we hold the testimony of respondent, in the absence of any testimony by Dawar, is insufficient to show clear and convincing evidence of such alleged violations in this count.