Opinion ID: 1521565
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: DR9-103(B)(4): Failure to Deliver Client's Papers

Text: Bar Counsel alleged, and the Hearing Committee found, that Respondent improperly asserted a lien on his client's papers, violating DR9-103(B)(4) by failing to deliver to the client her papers after requested to do so. The Board agrees. An attorney generally has a right to assert a retaining lien on his client's property to secure his fee for professional services. See generally In re Hines, 482 A.2d 378 (D.C.1984), citing, Grabowsky, Attorney's Liens, District Lawyer, April 1978, at 6. The right, however, is not absolute. See D.C. Legal Ethics Committee Opinion No. 59 (an attorney's right to assert a retaining lien must be balanced against the attorney's ethical responsibilities to take reasonable efforts to not prejudice the client). While Legal Ethics Opinion No. 59 does not directly address an excessive fee restriction on asserting a retaining lien, it does state, Thus, for purposes of considering the propriety of the actual assertion of a retaining lien, we must assume that the fee question is reasonable.... Thus, by implication, the Opinion states that the claim of an excessive fee restricts the right to assert a lien. The Board has concluded that Respondent charged an excessive fee. The Board further concludes that Respondent's assertion of a retaining lien to secure an excessive fee constituted a violation of DR9-103(B)(4).