Opinion ID: 1880293
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Making Inappropriate Remarks to a Complainant

Text: In 1995, Vince O'Connor, a former client of the firm that Terrazas managed, filed a complaint against Terrazas. After receiving a notice of investigation regarding the complaint, Terrazas telephoned O'Connor at his home and left the following message on O'Connor's answering machine: Vince O'Connor, this is Aldo Terrazas. I just received some correspondence from the Lawyers Professional Responsibility and I'd like to talk to you in person about it. See if you have the nerve to come and talk to me. Give me a call or come into my office because you are going to hear from me. O'Connor testified that he felt threatened and intimidated by the message. The District Ethics Committee (DEC) considered and dismissed O'Connor's complaint. Both O'Connor and Terrazas were present at the DEC hearing. The following day, O'Connor sent a letter to the DEC and to Terrazas disputing some statements made by Terrazas at the DEC meeting and accusing Terrazas of lying to the committee and of unethical and irresponsible conduct. Two weeks later, Terrazas wrote to O'Connor warning him that his statements may constitute defamation and advised him to consult a lawyer. Terrazas threatened O'Connor with litigation even though he was aware that Rule 21, RLPR, provides that a statement made relating to a lawyer's alleged unprofessional conduct is absolutely privileged and may not serve as a basis for liability in any civil lawsuit brought against the person making it. Terrazas asserts, that based on his own research, he believed he had a valid legal basis for threatening to sue O'Connor for defamation. However, the referee did not credit Terrazas' testimony on this issue.