Opinion ID: 2009876
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Tourville/Jenness Matter

Text: Before Westby was suspended from the practice of law, she represented Linda Jenness, n/k/a Tourville, in a post-decree support matter. After Westby was suspended, the court issued an order on a pending motion and set the matter for a hearing on March 5, 1998. The referee found that Westby did not notify Tourville or the court of her suspension. Tourville testified, and the referee found, that Westby assisted Tourville in preparing an affidavit for the hearing. The affidavit was filed with the court. Shortly before the hearing, Westby informed Tourville that she was suspended and that she expected to receive a reinstatement order within the next several days. Westby told Tourville that she would have the hearing continued. Westby then telephoned a court administrator and told the administrator that she was suspended and that she expected to be reinstated within the next several days. At Westby's request, the court continued the hearing to March 19. During the week before the March 19 hearing, Tourville made repeated efforts to contact Westby, but was unable to do so until the morning of the hearing. At that time, Westby told Tourville that she had not been reinstated and that the hearing again would be continued. Westby telephoned the court administrator to get the hearing continued. The court administrator testified, and the referee found, that the court administrator told Westby that the hearing would not be continued. The referee also found that Westby did not inform Tourville that the hearing was going to proceed as scheduled. Neither Westby nor Tourville appeared at the hearing and the court entered a default judgment against Tourville. Tourville later learned that the hearing had in fact taken place and attempted to contact Westby. Westby failed to return Tourville's calls. Tourville subsequently obtained other counsel and was successful in vacating the default order. The referee found that Tourville incurred significant attorney fees in vacating the order. The referee concluded that Westby's conduct with respect to Tourville violated Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 3.4(c), 4.1, 5.5(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d).