Opinion ID: 2602191
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Count II, Rollins Complaint

Text: ¶ 12 Frances Rollins, represented by Robert Benningfield, filed a tort action against Warehouse Market. The court later dismissed the case without prejudice. Benningfield refiled the case one year and one day following its dismissal. Warehouse Market responded to the refilling with a motion to dismiss asserting the statute of limitations. At this point, Respondent became involved in the case and filed a response to the motion to dismiss. The court granted Warehouse Market's motion and dismissed the case. In dismissing the case, the court entered two orders. Respondent filed an appeal with this Court thirty (30) days from the date of the second order. This Court dismissed the appeal as untimely. Respondent maintains he never received the first order and mistakenly relied on the filing of the second order as the point in which his appeal time began to run. ¶ 13 Rollins alleges that, in addition to handling the tort claim against Warehouse Market, Respondent agreed to represent her in a malpractice action against Benningfield. Respondent testified he never agreed to represent her in an action against Benningfield and that he specifically advised her he did not handle attorney malpractice claims. Respondent pointed out that Rollins currently had malpractice counsel for a claim against another firm. Respondent admits, however, that he never explicitly advised Rollins (1) he would not be handling the malpractice claim; (2) to contact another attorney; and (3) as to the applicable statute of limitations. The statute of limitations on the malpractice claim has expired. ¶ 14 Respondent also acknowledges he failed to timely respond to Rollin's requests her file be returned despite her phone calls and visit. ¶ 15 Before the Tribunal the parties stipulated Respondent's conduct constituted professional misconduct in violation of Rules 1.1 (competence), 1.2 (scope of representation), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.16(d) (failing to take reasonable steps upon termination of representation to protect a client's interests) of the ORPC and Rule 5.2 (investigations) of the RGDP, and constitutes grounds for professional discipline. ¶ 16 The ORPC imposes a mandatory obligation upon attorneys to provide competent representation and to act promptly and diligently on behalf of the client in the course of that representation. Respondent violated Rules 1.1 and 1.3 of the ORPC by failing to timely and properly file Rollins' appeal. Respondent also violated Rule 1.4 and 1.16(d) of the ORPC by failing to properly respond to Rollins' request for information and the return of her documents and by failing to surrender all Rollins' documents upon termination of representation. We find the evidence before the Tribunal clearly and convincingly establishes Respondent violated these provisions of the ORPC. ¶ 17 We also find Respondent violated Rule 1.2, ORPC, for failing to adequately consult with Rollins concerning the scope of his representation. While it is uncertain whether the scope of Respondent's representation included pursuing the malpractice claim against Benningfield, at a minimum, he should have discussed the limits of his representation with his client. The objectives or scope of services provided by a lawyer may be limited by agreement with the client or by the terms under which the lawyer's services are made available. However, the attorney bears the responsibility of ensuring the client is aware of those limitations. Respondent admits Rollins could have reasonably believed he would be representing her in the malpractice claim. Accordingly, Respondent did not adequately consult with Rollins regarding the representation and any limitations he asserts may have been placed on that representation. The Tribunal record establishes by clear and convincing evidence Respondent violated Rule 1.2.