Opinion ID: 2323584
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Glaspie Case

Text: In October of 1981 Willie Glaspie retained Bettis to represent him in an appeal from a finding of paternity and order for payment of support. Bettis filed a timely order for appeal, instructed Glaspie not to make support payments, and took no further action in the matter. Two months later the Court of Special Appeals dismissed the appeal because it had not been perfected. Although notice of the dismissal was sent to Bettis, he failed to notify Glaspie, or to instruct him to resume support payments. In June of 1982 Glaspie was found in contempt for non-payment of support and detained in the Prince George's County jail until payment of the amount in arrears. We agree with Judge Thieme's findings that this conduct constituted violations of DR 6-101(A)(3) (neglect of a legal matter entrusted to him) and DR 7-101(A)(2) (failure to carry out a contract of employment entered into with a client).