Opinion ID: 2135775
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Albert Mulkey

Text: Albert Mulkey hired respondent's firm, Timpone & Rickelman, to represent him in a breach of contract proceeding in 1983. Respondent's partner, Leonard Rickelman, represented Mulkey in the action, but later left the firm and moved to California in 1986. Mulkey testified that Rickelman informed him that he would return to Chicago to try the case and that the firm would continue to represent him. Mulkey's case was dismissed on February 4, 1986, for want of prosecution for failure to appear at the trial call. Mulkey and respondent dispute whether respondent promised to represent Mulkey once Rickelman left the firm. However, the evidence shows that respondent's firm filed motions bearing respondent's signature and succeeded in reinstating the case on one occasion. Moreover, respondent had conversations with defense counsel in the matter and paid $1,600 in sanctions for not complying with discovery orders in connection with Rickelman's handling of the matter. The case was eventually dismissed with prejudice for want of prosecution on April 17, 1986. An April 15, 1988, motion seeking to reinstate the case was stricken because no one appeared for Mulkey at a June 12, 1988, proceeding. The Hearing Board found that although Rickelman was Mulkey's counsel at the beginning of the case, respondent assumed responsibility once Rickelman left the firm. The Hearing Board concluded that respondent's failure to appear on Mulkey's behalf or to have another member of his firm do so represented neglect in violation of Rule 6101(a)(3) and failure to carry out a contract of employment in violation of Rule 7101(a)(2) (107 Ill.2d Rules 6101(a)(3), 7101(a)(2)). Moreover, the Board concluded that respondent's conduct also prejudiced or damaged Mulkey in violation of Rule 7101(a)(3) and was also prejudicial to the administration of justice in violation of Rule 1102(a)(5) (107 Ill.2d Rules 7 101(a)(3), 1102(a)(5)).