Opinion ID: 1182697
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: (4) The Abellana Personal Injury Matter

Text: Petitioner also represented Engelberto and Glenda Abellana under a contingency fee arrangement in a personal injury matter. The case arose from an automobile accident in 1970 in which both clients were involved. Petitioner settled their claims for $2,750. Engelberto and Glenda denied having knowledge of or consenting to settlement of their claims. They testified they first knew their claims had been settled early in 1973 after they had retained a different attorney. Petitioner testified that he obtained consent to settle from both Engelberto and Glenda by telephone, and that they signed a release on February 8, 1973. A handwriting expert testified signatures on the release and endorsements attached to the $2,750 settlement draft were not the genuine signatures of Engelberto and Glenda. He also testified the two signatures appearing on the release were written over pencilled outlines of the same name. Petitioner notarized the release as having been signed by his clients. The Abellanas further testified petitioner failed to report the settlement to them. According to bank statements, petitioner deposited the settlement proceeds in his trust account. Petitioner acknowledged he could not account for the funds. Petitioner claims all proceeds from the settlement draft were due him as uncollected fees for legal service rendered to the Abellanas for immigration matters. However, the record shows the only amount owed by the Abellanas to petitioner at the time of settlement was his contingent fee in the personal injury action  $941.85. The board found the following misconduct on petitioner's part: settling the personal injury claim without authority from or notice to the Abellanas; signing or causing to be signed the Abellanas' names on the settlement release and then notarizing the signatures; converting proceeds of the settlement draft to petitioner's own use and benefit without notice to his clients; and failing to keep proper books and accounts of trust funds received. The board further found petitioner affirmatively misrepresented to the panel the Abellanas had personally signed and endorsed the settlement agreements and drafts. The board recommended petitioner be required to make restitution to the Abellanas in the amount of $1,808.15. Based on the record before us, we are persuaded the findings are supported by clear and convincing evidence.