Opinion ID: 1377729
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Count IVWoodrow Blackwell

Text: In February of 1995, the complainant, Mr. Woodrow Blackwell retained Keenan for $750.00 to represent Mr. Blackwell in an action to modify his court-ordered child support. Pursuant to the representation agreement, Keenan filed a petition to modify support payments on February 25, 1995. A hearing was held on June 8, 1995, resulting in a reduction of Mr. Blackwell's support obligation. On December 16, 1995, the Social Security Administration ruled that Mr. Blackwell was totally disabled and awarded Social Security benefits to him and his children. Mr. Blackwell, by letter, informed Keenan of the ruling. Based on the Social Security ruling Keenan filed a second petition to modify child support payments. Keenan and Mr. Blackwell did not discuss an additional fee for a second petition. After filing the second petition, Keenan took no further action. Mr. Blackwell wrote three letters to Keenan between March 1, 1996 and April 26, 1996, asking for a status report. Keenan did not respond to Mr. Blackwell's letters. By letter dated July 18, 1996, Mr. Blackwell terminated Keenan's services and asked for a full refund of all attorney fees. Keenan later testified before the Board that he filed the second petition out of benevolence to Mr. Blackwell, but had no intention of representing him on the second petition. However, Keenan failed to advise Mr. Blackwell that he was not going to continue the case, nor did he file a motion to withdraw. Mr. Blackwell appeared pro se before the family law master and requested a modification of his child support obligation, and was partially successful in his attempt. Mr. Blackwell filed an ethics complaint against Keenan. A copy of the complaint was forwarded to Keenan by the ODC on December 5, 1996, with instructions to respond to the complaint within 10 days. Keenan did not respond as instructed. Accordingly, a second request was made on March 3, 1997, and Keenan responded on March 12, 1997. The Board charged Keenan with violating Rule 1.3 [8] for his lack of diligence, Rule 1.4(a) [9] for not communicating with his client, Rule 1.16(d) [10] for failing to properly withdraw from the case, and Rule 8.1(b) [11] for failing to respond to the Disciplinary Counsel as required. Keenan stipulated to the charges made by the Board.