Opinion ID: 1379246
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 24

Heading: The Shirah Matter

Text: Shirah retained Respondent to represent her in a divorce case and paid Respondent fees of approximately $1,300 and costs of approximately $125. Respondent first notified Shirah about a hearing only a few days prior to its scheduled date. Respondent met with Shirah the morning of the hearing, but then had the hearing continued. Shirah's spouse requested a second hearing, and Respondent did not notify his client. Respondent explained to his client that there had been no hearing on that date, and the hearing was in fact scheduled for later in the month. Prior to the hearing date, Respondent was arrested and placed on interim suspension. Shirah learned of Respondent's arrest through newspaper accounts and attempted without success to find out about her case by multiple telephone calls to Respondent's family and to the family court. Shirah learned from the family court that Respondent had never scheduled a hearing, as he had previously represented to her. Shirah learned from her spouse that Respondent had attended a hearing without notifying her. Respondent failed to provide a copy of the order arising from that hearing to his client. Respondent failed to notify Shirah that the family court had directed her to pay child support; instead, Shirah learned this from her husband. Respondent failed to notify Shirah that he was placed on interim suspension. Respondent's mother tried to refer Shirah to another attorney, even setting up an appointment with that attorney, without knowledge or permission from Shirah. Shirah's file was provided to that other attorney without Shirah's permission. Shirah filed a letter of complaint with the Commission on Lawyer Conduct and Respondent failed to respond to the subsequent inquiries and investigation.