Opinion ID: 2622873
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Moreland Grievance

Text: ¶ 11 Mr. Burtch entered into an attorney-client relationship with Roxie Moreland on August 16, 2004. Mr. Burtch was hired to bring a bad faith claim against Farmer's Insurance and to take action regarding a lien that had been filed against Moreland's property. Moreland, and a contractor she brought to their initial meeting, Gary Randall, informed Mr. Burtch that action needed to be taken promptly on the claim. The statute of limitations would expire at the end of the year, and Moreland had a toxic mold problem in her home. Mr. Burtch indicated to Moreland he would have the lien taken care of in a week and would file the lawsuits within two weeks. ¶ 12 Mr. Burtch had Moreland sign a retainer agreement that refers to a $2,000 nonrefundable retainer. Moreland has difficulty reading and testified she simply signed where Mr. Burtch instructed her to do so. Mr. Burtch maintains he adequately explained the payment of the retainer and observed Moreland read and sign the agreement. Br. of Pet'r at 7-8. ¶ 13 For several months Mr. Burtch took no action to obtain further information regarding the case. Moreland first contacted Mr. Burtch on September 10 and 14, 2004, expressing concern whether he had made any effort to remove the lien. On September 27, 2004, Moreland informed Mr. Burtch she felt he was misrepresenting her and wanted her file returned. Mr. Burtch assured her he would complete the promised services within a week. He did not work on the file again until. October 25, 2004. ¶ 14 Moreland contacted Mr. Burtch in late November setting a deadline for completion of the promised services. Mr. Burtch failed to complete the work. Moreland terminated Mr. Burtch's services on December 6, 2004, and requested a refund of $1,600, less than 30 days before the statute of limitations was set to expire. Mr. Burtch refused to refund the fees and instead produced an accounting to Moreland which documented provision of services valued in excess of the $2,000 retainer already paid by Moreland. The hearing officer did not find the accounting credible. ¶ 15 Mr. Burtch failed to adequately and accurately explain the fee agreement to his client, Moreland. This is a violation of RPC 1.4(b) and RPC 1.5(b). Furthermore, by failing to return unearned fees and failing to timely withdraw from the case, Mr. Burtch violated RPC 1.5(a) and former 1.15(d). ¶ 16 There is no evidence, other than his testimony, that Mr. Burtch did anything other than make one call to Randall regarding the services he allegedly provided Moreland. Mr. Burtch alleges he did spend time on the case and was just getting ready to dictate the complaint at the time he was terminated. Moreland sought alternative representation and was able to commence her legal action in a timely fashion. ¶ 17 Mr. Burtch's lack of action in Moreland's case is a violation of RPC 1.3, requiring lawyers diligently represent their clients. The circumstances of her claim and the toxic living conditions of her home required immediate action.