Opinion ID: 2353346
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Complaint of Antonio G. Rodriguez

Text: Because of some unclear problem Dr. Rodriguez was having with his employer, Morgan State University, he retained the Respondent to represent him in October, 1980. A retainer fee, plus costs, was given to Respondent. There was evidence, and the hearing judge so found, that calls and correspondence to the Respondent went unanswered, although one of the letters from Dr. Rodriguez was misdirected. After talking to another attorney, Dr. Rodriguez wrote to the Respondent in March, 1981, terminating his relationship and demanding a return of the retainer fee. Despite receiving from the Attorney Grievance Commission a copy of Rodriguez's complaint and discharge letter, Respondent nevertheless filed suit on behalf of Dr. Rodriguez in October, 1981. Dr. Rodriguez, through another attorney, settled his claim against the University in January, 1982. The hearing judge concluded that the Respondent violated Disciplinary Rules 1-102 (A) (1), 2-110 (B) (4), and 6-101 (A) (3). [1] While the Commission, in its petition, had alleged violation of two additional Rules, it has taken no exception to the failure of the hearing judge to make any finding with respect thereto, thus we need not address them as we find no evidence to support the allegations. In our view, the record is clear and convincing that the Respondent did violate the Rules, as so found by the trial judge.