Opinion ID: 1583561
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Failure to Turn Over Client Papers.

Text: A lawyer has a responsibility to turn over client papers and property to which the client is entitled prior to withdrawal from employment. DR 2-110(A)(2). On two occasions, clients who had obtained the services of other lawyers requested that Joy turn over client papers. In the Svoboda matter, Joy promised that he would provide the tax files, but did not do so. In the Boots matter, Joy was ordered to turn the file over to counsel for Boots, but again failed to do so. As a lawyer, Joy has a responsibility to provide clients and successor counsel with client papers under the circumstances presented here. Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Freeman, 603 N.W.2d 600, 602 (Iowa 1999). His failure to do so violates DR 2-110(A)(2) and also reflects adversely on his fitness to practice law in violation of DR 1-102(A)(6).