Opinion ID: 1857750
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Count V The Jackson Matters

Text: In November 1999, Kerry Jackson retained respondent to represent him in three civil suits. Respondent accepted the representation on a one-third contingent fee basis, but Mr. Jackson also paid respondent $3,250 in fees at his request. In December 1999, respondent enrolled as counsel of record for Mr. Jackson in the pending matter captioned Kerry Jackson v. Harry Lee, No. 99-0582 on the docket of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. In January 2000, respondent filed a memorandum in opposition to the defendant's motion for summary judgment. In April 2000, the magistrate judge recommended the dismissal of Mr. Jackson's suit with prejudice. Respondent did not file an objection to the proposed recommendation of the magistrate judge, and accordingly, in May 2000, the district judge approved the recommendation and dismissed Mr. Jackson's lawsuit. Respondent failed to properly communicate with Mr. Jackson concerning the status of the matter. In September 2000, respondent enrolled as counsel of record for Mr. Jackson in the pending matter captioned Kerry Jackson v. City of Kenner, et al., No. 99-1916 on the docket of the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. Respondent filed an opposition to the defendant's exception of prescription. In November 2000, the trial court granted the exception of prescription and dismissed Mr. Jackson's suit. Respondent filed a Notice of Intention to Apply for Supervisory Writs and was granted until December 22, 2000 to file the writ application with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal. However, he failed to follow through with the appeal, despite his representation to Mr. Jackson that he would do so, and the dismissal of the case is now final. In April 2000, respondent enrolled as counsel of record for Mr. Jackson in the pending medical malpractice case captioned Kerry Jackson v. Terry Migliore, et al., No. 99-13385 on the docket of the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. In May 2000, pursuant to a consent judgment between respondent and counsel for the defendants, Mr. Jackson's case was dismissed without prejudice pending the formation of a medical review panel. However, respondent did not take the steps necessary to convene the medical review panel. In March 2003, respondent gave a sworn statement to the ODC in which he agreed under oath to provide certain documentation within thirty days, including a copy of his employment contract with Mr. Jackson and evidence of work performed and communications with his client. Respondent failed to provide the documentation. The ODC alleges that respondent's conduct violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(a) (a lawyer's fee shall be reasonable) and/or 1.16(d), and 8.4(g) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. [2]