Opinion ID: 1991636
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: The Van Arsdale Matter

Text: In November 1980, Barbara Van Arsdale (grievant) contacted respondent for legal representation in connection with the institution of a personal injury action in her behalf. She met with respondent, for the first time, in December 1980. At that time, respondent advised her to obtain any medical records concerning her injuries. She did so. At a subsequent meeting with respondent, in July 1981, grievant submitted all medical records, bills and a narrative of her injuries, as instructed by respondent. During the remainder of 1981 and the early part of 1982, grievant contacted respondent at least 20 times in order to obtain information about the status of her matter. On two occasions only did respondent return her telephone calls. In August 1982, respondent informed grievant that he had received an offer from the insurance company in the amount of $25,000.00. Said offer, actually made in March of 1982 and rejected by respondent, was never communicated at the time to grievant, in writing or orally. On October 29, 1982, two days before the statute of limitations was to run, respondent filed a complaint. It was not until sometime in 1983 that he forwarded to grievant a copy of the complaint, which was not stamped. In June 1984, the matter was scheduled to be considered by an early settlement panel. Upon contacting the clerk's office, grievant was advised that the matter was about to be dismissed as a result of respondent's failure to provide proof of service on certain defendants. When grievant contacted respondent, he told her that the clerk was a liar. In November 1984, grievant demanded that respondent immediately turn the file over to her so that she could obtain new counsel. Respondent complied, but several weeks later. Numerous important original documents were missing from the file. Grievant's new counsel made numerous attempts to obtain the remainder of the file from respondent, all to no avail. New counsel was forced to obtain a court order requiring respondent to release the entire file. Respondent ignored the court order. In late 1985, new counsel settled the matter for $34,875.00. The district ethics committee hearing was held on December 13, 1985. Respondent failed to appear. The committee concluded that respondent had violated DR 7-101(A)(1), (2), (3), DR 7-101(B)(1), DR 1-102(A)(1), (5), (6), DR 9-102(B)(1), (3), (4), DR 7-102(A)(8) and superseding R.P.C. 1.2., R.P.C. 1.3, R.P.C. 1.4 and R.P.C. 8.4. Specifically, the committee found that respondent had failed to seek the lawful objectives of the client through reasonable, available means; had failed to act with due diligence and to maintain property and records received from the client; had failed to turn over the file when requested; had failed to carry out his contract of employment, to the client's prejudice; had failed to keep the client reasonably informed as to significant matters that affected her case; had engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice; and had been guilty of illegal conduct. The committee recommended that a presentment be brought against respondent.