Opinion ID: 2544002
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: The Graham Matter

Text: In February 2002, Kelley Graham hired respondent to represent her in a personal injury matter. The matter settled in May 2004 and checks were disbursed to respondent and Ms. Graham. However, Ms. Graham subsequently discovered that respondent had failed to pay approximately $2,000 in medical expenses to some of her medical providers. Thereafter, Ms. Graham made several attempts to contact respondent, but with no success. In July 2004, upon receiving notice that her medical bills were being sent to a collection agency, Ms. Graham filed a disciplinary complaint against respondent. Respondent failed to reply to the complaint, necessitating the issuance of a subpoena. During his November 2004 sworn statement, respondent testified that Ms. Graham's funds were being held in his operating account. [5] He also testified that his secretary had misappropriated client funds. Respondent explained that he endorsed blank checks from his operating account, requiring his assistant to add the names of medical providers. Respondent assured the ODC that all of Ms. Graham's medical providers would be paid immediately and that he would provide copies of the checks to the ODC as proof of payment. In February 2005, respondent provided the ODC with proof that he had paid the medical providers and sent Ms. Graham a written apology. The ODC alleged respondent's conduct violated Rules 1.3, 1.15(a) (safekeeping property of clients or third persons), 5.3(b) (responsibilities regarding nonlawyer assistants), 8.1(c), 8.4(a), and 8.4(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.