Opinion ID: 1175723
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Dennis Matter

Text: On June 4, 1971, Laurence T. Dennis gave petitioner a $400 retainer to represent him on a drunk driving charge. On June 7, 1971, petitioner appeared at an arraignment on behalf of Mr. Dennis and entered a plea of not guilty. Mr. Dennis passed away on June 9, 1971, and two or three days later, Mrs. Dennis informed petitioner of her husband's death so that he would discontinue work on the case and return the unearned balance of the $400 retainer. After two or three weeks passed and petitioner failed to return the sum, Mrs. Dennis decided to ask petitioner to assist her on additional legal matters. He agreed to perform the services she requested and subsequently assured her that he had corresponded with an attorney in Nebraska concerning the estate of her father-in-law and had prepared an affidavit to terminate joint tenancy title to the Dennis home. Mrs. Dennis thereafter attempted to contact petitioner but he repeatedly failed to return her calls. He claims that he avoided speaking with the woman because she commenced each conversation with a demand for a refund of the entire $400 retainer. Mrs. Dennis, however, maintains that she was prompted to request return of the money when she learned that petitioner had neither filed the papers necessary to terminate the joint tenancy nor written to the attorney in Nebraska.