Opinion ID: 1795121
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Count I The Harris Matter

Text: In June 2003, Ruth Baker Harris retained respondent to represent her in a civil damage claim and an ongoing workers' compensation claim, paying respondent $1,500 toward an agreed $2,500 fee ($500 of which was non-refundable). After numerous attempts to contact respondent, Ms. Harris was advised that respondent was in settlement negotiations with opposing counsel. Subsequent numerous efforts to contact respondent about her claims were unsuccessful, and in September 2003, respondent's telephone was disconnected. Ms. Harris learned from opposing counsel that although respondent had called him once or twice, respondent had not enrolled as counsel on her behalf, and that she was being served with a motion to compel for delinquent discovery responses. Ms. Harris filed a disciplinary complaint against respondent in September 2003, requesting return of the $1,500. After numerous attempts by the ODC to contact respondent, he was subpoenaed to appear on July 9, 2004. Respondent admitted he had not responded to the complaint, agreed to provide a written response to the complaint, and further agreed to refund $400 to Ms. Harris while initiating the fee dispute arbitration process for the balance. Although respondent requested the fee arbitration application form from the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA), no further action was taken, nor did he provide evidence of the $400 refund. Ms. Harris later received a certified letter from respondent stating he believed the entire fee was earned. The ODC alleges that respondent's conduct in the Harris matter violated the following provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct: Rules 1.3 (failure to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client), 1.4 (failure to communicate with a client), 1.5 (fee arrangements), 1.5(f)(6) (failure to refund an unearned fee), 1.16(d) (failure to comply with obligations upon termination of the representation), and 8.1(c) (failure to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation).