Opinion ID: 1969239
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Background Facts Relating To Antonio Gladden

Text: In March of 1993, Respondent was retained to represent Gladden in a criminal case pending in the Superior Court. Gladden was 21 years of age at the time. He had no criminal record. The record in this matter indicates that he was unfamiliar with criminal procedures. (See, e.g., BX 4) Respondent failed to provide Gladden with a written disclosure of the basis or rate of his fee, as required by Rule 1.5(b) of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct. The Superior Court trial resulted in Gladden's conviction. He was sentenced to four years incarceration under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. Three days after sentencing, Gladden told Respondent that he wished to appeal from his conviction. There was no dispute that Respondent knew Gladden wished to appeal. (Tr. 117-118) Respondent discussed with Gladden's mother his retainer for representing Gladden in the appeal. She told him at first to go ahead with the appeal. (Tr. 14) Shortly thereafter, she informed Respondent that she could not obtain the necessary funds for the retainer. Respondent told her that, nonetheless, he would go ahead and put the appeal in. Gladden's mother gave that information to Gladden. (Tr. 15) Gladden testified that, after his sentencing, he telephoned Respondent about an appeal, and that Respondent told him he would file a motion concerning his appeal. (Tr. 118) On the basis of Respondent's statements to her, Gladden's mother believed that the notice of appeal had been filed. She so informed Gladden. (Tr. 15) In fact, although Respondent knew that Gladden wished to appeal his conviction (Tr. 93), he admitted that he intentionally failed to note the appeal. (Tr. 90) He also admitted that he failed to inform his client in writing where to go and how to get an attorney. (Tr. 91) Instead, he told Gladden that if [he] could get downtown, and ... could pick up copies of the [ forma pauperis ] papers for him, [he] would be glad to drop them off. As it was, [he] didn't get to it. (Tr. 92) Respondent's excuse for his inaction was that he did not wish to file an appeal in a case where the client was not going to pay him. (Tr. 95) Respondent did not believe it was his responsibility to give such assistance to his client. (Tr. 92-93) After the time for filing the appeal had expired, Gladden complained to Bar Counsel. Thereafter, a Public Defender Service lawyer was able to get the sentence vacated. The original sentence was then reimposed, and a timely notice of appeal was filed by the PDS lawyer. (BX 9-9)