Opinion ID: 1624258
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The McAlpin Matter

Text: In March 2004, Charles McAlpin paid respondent $3,000 to handle a succession matter. Respondent did some work in the matter, but approximately two years later, Mr. McAlpin retained new counsel, Orlando N. Hamilton, Jr., to handle the succession case. Mr. Hamilton requested that respondent return the file, provide an accounting, and refund the unearned portion of Mr. McAlpin's fee. Respondent failed to do so, and as a result, Mr. Hamilton issued a subpoena to compel respondent's appearance in court. Respondent appeared in court on September 11, 2006, produced the file, and refunded $2,700 to Mr. McAlpin ($2,000 in the form of a check and $700 in cash). Mr. McAlpin endorsed the check over to Mr. Hamilton to compensate him for legal expenses and costs that had accrued. However, respondent's check was written on the wrong bank account, and it was subsequently dishonored for insufficient funds. [1] Respondent failed to remit funds to reimburse Mr. Hamilton, despite repeated requests. Consequently, the matter was submitted to the district attorney's office for prosecution and collection. Respondent pled guilty to issuing a worthless check [2] and deposited $2,902 into the registry of the court on March 7, 2007.