Opinion ID: 2173583
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The July 11, 1980, Hearing

Text: This hearing discussed several new allegations against respondent as well as the previously-discussed ones. Respondent has substantially admitted all of the allegations, which are summarized as follows: In late 1977 respondent was retained by Ms. Terwedow to initiate a civil lawsuit. He did so by filing a summons and complaint in October 1978. However, thereafter respondent completely neglected the file; he never filed the summons and complaint with the appropriate court, he never pursued discovery, nor did he take any other action. In November 1977 respondent was retained by a Mr. Jain to bring a lawsuit against the previous owner of Mr. Jain's home. Respondent states that Mr. Jain failed to supply some necessary information and as a result the summons and complaint were never served or filed. However, in November of 1979, in response to Mr. Jain's inquiries, respondent had lied to Mr. Jain and told him that the lawsuit was proceeding. In June 1978 respondent was retained by Roxanne Fleischaker to represent her in a personal injury case. He accepted the case but never sued it out. His only action on the file was to write one letter to the potential defendant, which went unanswered. In spite of this lack of action, respondent advised his client he was working for a settlement. In 1978 respondent was hired by Steve Hurbruk to start a suit against the State of Minnesota and/or a group of health carriers. He drafted the complaint but never served or filed it. Respondent states that the client had not paid the requested fee; however, respondent led the client to believe the lawsuit was progressing. In 1979 Don Fleischaker retained respondent to file his corporate income tax return (respondent had timely filed his return in 1978). Respondent accepted the work in spite of his agreement with the LPRB not to take new clients. [1] Respondent did nothing to prepare the returns until he turned them over to another attorney in February or March of 1980. In March 1978 respondent was hired by Mrs. Mary Sobanski to handle the estate of her husband. Respondent states that he mistakenly closed the file and consequently never filed inheritance tax returns. He also failed to notify Mrs. Sobanski that he was leaving the practice of law. Respondent was retained by Donnelly Electric with regard to some mechanics liens. Respondent filed the initial notice of mechanics lien, but then totally neglected the file. Respondent also failed to keep trust account records in accordance with DR 9-103(A). [2] Respondent also commingled trust account and personal funds, although it does not appear that any of the funds were used for office expenses or personal use. In March 1980 respondent met with Mr. Baker, of the LPRB, to allow Mr. Baker to examine his books and records. Since the records were not current respondent agreed to provide Mr. Baker with updated records. However, these records were not provided until July 9, 1980, two days before the July 11, 1980, hearing. Mr. Pecchia, the attorney who purchased respondent's office assets and is handling many of respondent's previous clients, testified at the hearing as to other files respondent has neglected. Mr. Pecchia also testified that respondent had cancelled or not shown up for many of the meetings scheduled to discuss ongoing files.