Opinion ID: 1746623
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Count II The Evans Matter

Text: Beginning in 1997, Gracie Evans and her son, Walie Evans, hired respondent to handle three legal matters: two personal injury claims and a bankruptcy/foreclosure matter. Although respondent assured Ms. Evans that lawsuits or responsive pleadings had been filed in these three legal matters, he never provided Ms. Evans with any court documents. A search of court records revealed that the lawsuits were never filed. Ms. Evans maintained regular contact with respondent until October 2006 when respondent informed her that he was closing his law practice due to health reasons. Thereafter, respondent failed to communicate with Ms. Evans despite her attempts at communication. After Hurricane Katrina, respondent relocated to Arkansas and, more recently, Georgia. Despite being provided with several copies of Ms. Williams' complaint against him, he has not submitted a response. The ODC alleges that respondent's conduct violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 8.1(c), and 8.4(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.