Opinion ID: 1121486
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: incompetence and neglect

Text: The question whether a lawyer has competently represented a client is, of course, a fact-specific inquiry. [9] A review of this court's cases shows that incompetence often is found where there is a lack of basic knowledge or preparation, or a combination of those factors. See, e.g., In re Spies, 316 Or. 530, 534, 852 P.2d 831 (1993) (accused found incompetent for representing a client in a matter outside her area of expertise without acquiring adequate knowledge or skill); In re Odman, 297 Or. 744, 750, 687 P.2d 153 (1984) (accused found incompetent where facts showed improper and late filings of estate documents; accused did not know basic steps in administering and closing decedent's insolvent estate); In re Chambers, 292 Or. 670, 678, 642 P.2d 286 (1982) (accused guilty of incompetent representation where record showed accused tried the criminal case `by the seat of his pants'). In contrast, lawyers have been found not guilty of providing incompetent representation where the lawyers showed experience and professional ability to perform work, In re Walker, 293 Or. 297, 647 P.2d 468 (1982), or where the Bar failed to prove that a position taken by the lawyer was advanced in pretense or bad faith, or in culpable ignorance, In re Rudie, 290 Or. 471, 622 P.2d 1098 (1981). In sum, competence or incompetence can best be measured on a case-by-case basis using the standard stated in DR 6-101(A) itself. In one of the cases of alleged incompetent representation now before us, a client came to the accused seeking a rapid incorporation of a family business so that the business could, as a corporation, bid on a government contract. The client told the accused that there was a deadline in the very near future for making that bid. The accused did not review the proposed articles of incorporation that his staff prepared before the articles were submitted to the proper state official. He did not ensure that the amount of filing and other incorporation and registered agent fees that were required by law accompanied the proposed articles when they were mailed to the state official. The filing was rejected for deficiencies in both the information presented and the amount of filing fee tendered. [10] A violation of the competent representation rule, DR 6-101(A) (set out in note 4, supra, ) was proved in this incorporation matter. See, e.g., In re Spies, supra, 316 Or. at 534, 852 P.2d 831 (previously stated); In re Odman, supra, 297 Or. at 744, 687 P.2d 153 (previously stated). In another alleged neglect case, the accused collected no fee for the work that the client expected him to do but that he did not do with respect to a small claims matter. [11] We are satisfied by clear and convincing evidence that the accused failed to perform the work expected and that his client suffered a default judgment as a result. The accused violated DR 6-101(B). [12] Another cause of complaint concerns representing a juvenile charged with first degree manslaughter in juvenile court in October 1988. It is a closer call. A deputy district attorney who prosecuted the case complained of incompetent and neglectful representation by the accused. There is credible evidence that the accused was not thorough in representing the juvenile, but there is not clear and convincing evidence of neglect or incompetent representation. The trial panel reasoned that the fact that a good result was obtained means that the accused did not neglect a legal matter, under DR 6-101(B), or provide incompetent representation under DR 6-101(A). That factorthe result obtainedis related to whether the amount of a fee is excessive, not necessarily to whether a legal matter has been neglected. If a lawyer does a poor job, but the client fortuitously or through the efforts of others obtains a good result, that does not excuse the lawyer from providing competent representation or justify neglecting the case. However, in this cause of complaint, there is enough evidence that the accused identified the most desirable disposition for his client and deliberately was using the tactic of not getting in the way of a good result to prevent this court's finding by clear and convincing evidence that the accused should have done more. We find the accused not guilty as to that cause of complaint. The accused is guilty of the other charges of neglecting legal matters.