Opinion ID: 1919646
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Docket Number 141-84: Barnes Complaint

Text: Ms. Barnes retained Respondent to represent her in a dispute with her employer, the Sheraton-Washington Hotel. Ms. Barnes was subsequently rehired by the hotel, but it is unclear whether she was rehired due to Respondent's efforts. Thereafter, Ms. Barnes was again dismissed. She then left papers relating to her second dismissal with Respondent's secretary. Respondent failed to respond to three letters from Bar Counsel concerning Ms. Barnes' complaint, one of which was made by personal service. The Hearing Committee concluded that there was not clear and convincing evidence that Respondent had neglected a matter entrusted to him because it was not established that Respondent was retained by Ms. Barnes with respect to the second dismissal. We agree. The Hearing Committee did, however, find, and we agree, that Respondent violated DR 1-102(A)(5) by failing to respond to Bar Counsel's legitimate written inquiries.