Opinion ID: 2137456
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: beckman charges

Text: Goetz represented Dale Beckman, the personal representative of an estate, in three matters concerning a conflict-of-interest dispute with a realtor. Goetz filed a civil complaint against the realtor in September 1988. Goetz filed an administrative complaint with the state real estate commission in April 1989. Goetz told Beckman both complaints were filed in 1988. Goetz also defended the estate in the realtor's action to foreclose a note. Goetz did not respond to the realtor's motion for summary judgment and judgment was entered against the estate. Goetz did not tell Beckman about this development. Goetz collected $3,000 for representing the estate. The hearing panel found that Goetz did not act diligently on behalf of the estate, did not keep Beckman informed and, indeed, lied about developments in the cases, and charged an excessive fee in violation of NDRPC 1.3, 1.4(a), (b); NDPRLDD 1.2(A)(3), (8).