Opinion ID: 1167668
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Falk Matter

Text: In February 1984, Joanne Falk retained petitioner to represent her against a criminal charge of driving under the influence. Falk paid petitioner $400 to represent her in the matter. Petitioner appeared with Falk at the arraignment and appeared on her behalf at several subsequent hearings. Petitioner failed to appear at a scheduled hearing in February 1985, however, and as a result a bench warrant was issued for Falk's arrest. When Falk received notice of the warrant she contacted petitioner, who told her that a mistake had been made and that he would take care of it. After receiving a second notice, Falk again contacted petitioner, who again assured her that he would handle it. Falk was subsequently stopped for speeding and, as a result of the outstanding warrant, was arrested and taken into custody. While in jail, Falk called petitioner's home and spoke with his wife. Petitioner, however, refused to take the call. After five hours in custody, Falk was able to obtain her release on $3,500 bail; she paid a $350 bail bond premium. The following Monday, Falk contacted petitioner, who told her that there had been a mistake. Falk subsequently went to court to examine the file and discovered that the warrant had been issued because of petitioner's failure to appear at the scheduled hearing. She then retained another attorney to represent her. The new attorney wrote to petitioner requesting Falk's file. Petitioner failed to forward the file as requested. The State Bar Court found that petitioner's assurances to Falk that the bench warrant had been a mistake constituted wilful misrepresentations and acts of moral turpitude, and that by his failure to take steps to recall the warrant he had wilfully abandoned his client. By his conduct, the State Bar Court concluded that petitioner wilfully violated rules 2-111(A)(2) and 6-101(A)(2) and sections 6068, 6103, and 6106.