Opinion ID: 1961033
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: FACTS RELEVANT TO STATE FARM MUTUAL v. PRESTON HENDERSON & HENDERSON v. ASHLEY LAYNE DESIGNS, INC. et al.

Text: The Respondent represented Mr. Henderson in connection with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case in or about 1995 to 1996. Respondent has known Mr. Henderson and members of his family for thirty-five to forty years. In or about August 1996, Mr. Henderson lived at 2240 Keyworth Avenue in Baltimore City and while he resided there, that property was subject to foreclosure. Respondent purchased the property at a foreclosure sale for $17,000.00 and told Mr. Henderson that he would allow him to remain at the property. There was no written agreement between Mr. Henderson and Respondent regarding Mr. Henderson's repurchase of the property. There was also no written agreement regarding Mr. Henderson's obligations with respect to rent, taxes or other expenses related to the property. In 1996, Mr. Henderson was involved in an automobile accident and was sued for damages. The Respondent represented Mr. Henderson in the resulting lawsuit, i.e. State Farm Mutual v. Preston Henderson. A judgment in favor of State Farm Mutual for approximately $11,935.00 was entered on or about September 3, 1997. On September 4, 1997, Respondent filed suit against Mr. Henderson in the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City seeking back rent. On September 11, 1997, a default judgment was entered against Mr. Henderson. Respondent was awarded a judgment in the amount of $7,200.00. On or about September 15, 1997, Respondent filed a Writ of Garnishment of Wages and Mr. Henderson's wages were later garnished. Sometime in 1997, while employed by Ashley Layne Designs, Inc. as a window treatment designer, Mr. Henderson sought Respondent's advice concerning sexual harassment at his place of employment. Mr. Henderson continued his employment with Ashley Layne Designs, Inc. until sometime in March of 1998. Mr. Henderson was discharged at that time and retained Respondent in connection with his claim for unemployment compensation. He also retained Respondent to represent him on his claims of sexual harassment and abusive discharge against his former employer. On January 20, 1999, Respondent filed suit against Ashley Layne Designs, Inc. for sexual harassment and for abusive discharge in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, case number 24-C-99-000254. In April of 1999, after negotiation between the parties, an[ ] agreement was reached. The parties signed a confidential settlement and general release. As part of the settlement, Mr. Henderson was awarded $11,000.00. The Respondent retained the entire $11,000 as his fee for his work in the Ashley Layne Designs case.