Opinion ID: 1199603
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the hardeman matter

Text: ¶ 4 Francille Hardeman filed a Merit Protection claim on July 28, 1992, which the Merit Protection Commission dismissed by order dated December 21, 1992. An application or request for an administrative rehearing, reopening, or reconsideration of a Merit Protection Commission order must be filed within ten (10) days of the entry of the order, 75 O.S.1991 § 317(A). Thus, an application for judicial review of the order had to be instituted not more than thirty (30) days after Hardeman was notified of the Order, January 21, 1993, 75 O.S.1991 § 318(B)(2). ¶ 5 On April 26, 1995, Hardeman hired respondent to represent her in an appeal to the District Court from an adverse finding of a claim with the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission. Notwithstanding that Hardeman's time to appeal had expired several years before respondent was hired, respondent accepted $5700 as an attorney fee that same day. ¶ 6 Respondent advised Hardeman that until the attorney fees were paid in full, she would not perform any work on the appeal. Hardeman borrowed the $5700 and because her home was paid for, she gave a first mortgage as security for the repayment of the loan. ¶ 7 Respondent did nothing for her client. She totally failed, neglected, and refused to seek administrative or judicial review of the Merit Protection Commission order. Respondent failed to communicate with Hardeman regarding her representation. Additionally, respondent never informed Hardeman that the statute of limitations had run on the Merit Protection claim some three (3) years and three (3) months prior to the date respondent was retained. ¶ 8 Eventually, Hardeman contacted other legal counsel and advised the attorney of the Merit Protection Commission appeal and her dissatisfaction with respondent's representation. The attorney, Robert W. Cole, wrote respondent a letter on behalf of Hardeman and requested an accounting of the $5700 and to tender the balance of the funds to his office. ¶ 9 Nearly one month later, respondent responded in writing to the letter and agreed to prepare an accounting in five (5) days and to return Hardeman's money. Respondent wholly and completely failed to do either of the things she said she would do. As of the date of the hearing in this proceeding, Hardeman was still making monthly payments on the $5700 loan.