Opinion ID: 2096988
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Count 17: Former SCR 20:1.1; [13] Competence.

Text: ¶ 31 The referee found that due to Attorney Nunnery's failure to reduce to writing the USPS's agreement with respect to A.S.'s return to work, he was unable to enter the agreement on the record, thus depriving her of the ability to enforce the settlement reached with the USPS. Also, the referee determined the decision to withdraw A.S.'s appeal in the matter was not a joint decision on the part of Attorney Nunnery and his client. Rather, A.S. learned that her appeal had been dismissed only when she received notice sent by the Merit Systems Protection Board on June 12, 2003. Due to Attorney Nunnery's dismissal of her appeal and his failure to place the settlement on the record, A.S. was deprived of her ability to reopen her appeal. The referee concluded this conduct violated the duty to provide competent representation.