Opinion ID: 2602191
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Count I, Wilburn Complaint

Text: ¶ 4 Respondent was appointed by the court to represent Carol Wilburn in defending a contempt citation filed by her ex-husband, Carl Burt, for failure to pay court ordered child support. The parties reached a settlement wherein Wilburn agreed to relinquish her interest in the marital home and her ex-husband agreed to forgo past due child support. [1] The settlement also included an agreement that Wilburn would receive her income tax refund. Wilburn was concerned DHS, who was assisting her ex-husband in collecting past due child support, might intercept her refund pursuant to standard collection procedures if it was not notified that her child support obligations were current. In the event DHS did intercept the refund, the parties agreed it would be returned to Respondent or Wilburn. ¶ 5 After the parties concluded the settlement, the court dismissed the contempt citation by court minute and Mr. Burt's attorney agreed to draft the journal entry reflecting the agreement. When Mr. Burt's attorney failed to promptly draft the journal entry, Respondent neglected to ensure a journal entry was filed or that DHS was notified of the settlement to protect Wilburn's rights. ¶ 6 Wilburn was unable to secure a journal entry until fourteen (14) months after the settlement was reached and only after she retained another attorney. Respondent did not cooperate with Wilburn's new counsel, failed to withdraw from the case after new counsel entered his appearance and failed to timely respond to Wilburn's requests her file be returned. Wilburn contends Respondent still has not returned all of her documents. DHS subsequently intercepted Wilburn's refund and forwarded it to Mr. Burt who refused to return the funds. ¶ 7 At a hearing before the Tribunal, the parties stipulated Respondent's conduct constituted professional misconduct in violation of Rules 1.2 (scope of representation), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.16(d) (failing to take reasonable steps upon termination of representation to protect a client's interests) and 3.2 (expediting litigation) of the ORPC. ¶ 8 The ORPC imposes a mandatory duty upon attorneys to act promptly and diligently on matters and to communicate with clients. State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Ass'n v. Johnston, 1993 OK 91, 863 P.2d 1136, 1145. The record before us provides clear and convincing evidence Respondent failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, failed to promptly reply to reasonable requests for information and the return of documents, and failed to make reasonable efforts to expedite Wilburn's case in violation of Rules 1.3, 1.4 and 3.2 of the ORPC. Such conduct by Respondent warrants discipline by this Court. ¶ 9 Although Respondent stipulated and the Tribunal found a violation of Rule 1.2 of the ORPC, we find the evidence insufficient to establish a violation of this Rule. There is no evidence of a dispute between Respondent and his client regarding the objectives of his representation. Respondent accordingly stands exonerated of that charge. ¶ 10 Although the OBA did not specifically charge Respondent with a violation of Rule 1.16(d) of the ORPC, Respondent stipulated and the Tribunal found he failed, upon termination of representation, to take reasonable steps to protect Wilburn's interests, such as cooperating with new counsel and surrendering client documents. The fact the OBA did not specifically charge a violation of Rule 1.16(d) is of no consequence. The provisions of Rule 6.2 of the RGDP demand only that the complaint set forth the facts constituting the misconduct and does not require the lawyer be notified of the specific disciplinary rule the misconduct violates. ¶ 11 The Complaint alleges a correct journal entry was not filed until Wilburn obtained new counsel and that Respondent failed to return Wilburn's documents. Respondent stipulated he was aware Wilburn had retained new counsel and that he failed to return calls from, or cooperate with, Wilburn's new attorney, and failed to return Wilburn's documents despite her requests. We find the record establishes by clear and convincing evidence Respondent violated Rule 1.16(d).