Opinion ID: 1734582
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Count IIBates Matter

Text: On May 2, 1997, Shala Jo Bates retained respondent to represent her and her minor son in a personal injury matter, agreeing to pay respondent a twenty-five percent contingency fee in the event of recovery. Thereafter, respondent settled her case and placed the settlement funds in his law firm operating account, because he no longer maintained a separate client trust account. Respondent then issued a check to his client, after withholding thirty-three and one-third percent of the settlement for his attorney fees (rather than twenty-five percent, as required by the contract). He also withheld amounts owed to three third party healthcare providers. Of these third party funds, respondent provided timely payment to his father, T.W. Kleinpeter, M.D., who was Ms. Bates' orthopedist, but failed to pay the two remaining health care providers, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center and Leslie Daigle, a physical therapist, the respective amounts of $298 and $827. [1] One year later, Ms. Bates learned that respondent had failed to satisfy the outstanding medical bills and that, as a result, she had been reported to a credit bureau. When respondent failed to respond to her request that her medical bills be paid, she advised respondent's legal secretary, Loretta Lombas, that it was her intention to file a complaint with the ODC. At respondent's direction, Ms. Lombas forwarded Ms. Bates $500 in the form of a money order for her troubles and inconvenience stemming from respondent's inaction. The accompanying cover letter, signed by Ms. Lombas, stated [i]t is our understanding that with acceptance of this payment, you do not plan to go forward with any dispute with the Bar Association. [2] Subsequently, Ms. Bates filed a complaint with the ODC, primarily alleging respondent settled her case without her authority, assessed a legal fee in excess of the employment contract and failed to pay two healthcare providers. Several days later, respondent forwarded a check for $454.32 to Ms. Bates for the portion of the legal fee that he improperly withheld, contending he was unaware the employment contract specified a twenty-five percent contingency fee. Upon presentation, the check was declined for insufficient funds in respondent's operating account. Almost one and one-half years after the case settled, the two remaining healthcare providers were reimbursed.