Opinion ID: 1972528
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: countries, inc., d/b/a young & assoc. complaint

Text: In 1982, Respondent was retained to represent Countries, Inc., D/B/A Young & Associates, in defense of a patent infringement claim. When Respondent failed to answer interrogatories propounded by plaintiff, plaintiff moved on October 24, 1983 for a default judgment. The U.S. magistrate recommended to the U.S. District Court that the default be granted, noting Respondent failed to answer the many telephone messages left by the judge and his staff. The default was granted on January 25, 1983. Respondent did not inform his client of the default but, instead, assured the client in June 1983 that the matter was proceeding satisfactorily. Learning in October 1983 of the status of the case, Countries, Inc. sought to contact Respondent. On October 8, 1983, Respondent stated he was unable to continue with the matter and promised to explain the situation to the court, which he never did. He also refused to return the file. The client later retained another attorney who had the default judgment vacated.