Opinion ID: 1992646
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: Count IV: Mr. and Mrs. Scriven

Text: 29. On May 15, 1993, Respondent was retained by Melvin and Lynne Scriven to prepare and file for them a petition under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Scrivens paid Respondent $1,125. (BX 2, BX 3). The Scrivens' primary goal in filing for bankruptcy was to prevent the impending foreclosure of their home. They informed Respondent that the foreclosure was scheduled for June 21, 1993. (Tr. I at 140-141, 157, 170, 172). 30. Mr. and Mrs. Scriven had erratic communications with Respondent between May 15, 1993, and June 21, 1993. Mrs. Scriven, who attempted to contact Respondent's office on numerous occasions, usually only reached her answering machine. On approximately May 30, 1993, Mrs. Scriven spoke with Respondent's paralegal John Edmond and relayed information to him. In the days immediately preceding June 21, Mrs. Scriven called Respondent and left numerous messages on her phone answering machine about the impending foreclosure. 31. Respondent claimed that Mr. and Mrs. Scriven were at fault for not apprising her of the date of foreclosure. While there is no question that the Scrivens did provide her with the foreclosure date prior to June 21, 1993, it also is clear that even had the Scrivens failed to do so, Respondent failed to carry out her obligation to her clients of ascertaining the scheduled auction date, since she knew that her clients' home was scheduled for foreclosure. Respondent did not protect the Scrivens' interests and failed to represent them diligently and zealously. 32. Respondent failed to file a Chapter 13 petition for Mr. and Mrs. Scriven as she was retained to do. The Scrivens' home was foreclosed upon and sold on June 21, 1993. 33. Mr. and Mrs. Scriven sued Respondent in District of Columbia Superior Court, alleging that Respondent's malpractice caused the loss of their home. The Court entered a default judgment of $43,866. Included in this judgment is the $1,125 in legal fees paid by the Scrivens to Respondent. Respondent has not paid this obligation, but instead has sued Mr. and Mrs. Scriven and their lawyer. At the hearing she could not recall why she was suing them. (Tr. II at 162-164).