Opinion ID: 1182697
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: (5) The Goldstein Uninsured Motorist Matter

Text: On September 25, 1972, Afaf and Ojien Goldstein retained petitioner to represent them in an uninsured motorist claim against Allstate Insurance Company (Allstate). Petitioner negotiated with Allstate and, by a subrogation agreement dated October 2, 1973, settled the claim of $750 plus $313.95 for medical payments. [1] The agreement purports to have been signed by the Goldsteins. In an effort to support his testimony that Afaf was present in his office at the time the settlement agreement was signed, petitioner submitted a photograph of Afaf and produced two witnesses who identified the person in the photograph as a woman they saw in petitioner's office on a day they were at the office. However, the witnesses repeatedly identified the pertinent date to be September or October 1974, while, as stated, the subrogation agreement is dated October 2, 1973, and Allstate drafts in payment of settlement amounts bear dates of September 19 and 20, 1973. Afaf Goldstein testified she did not sign the settlement agreement and a handwriting expert confirmed the signatures on the pertinent documents were not those of Afaf. The Goldsteins further testified petitioner did not report the settlement to them until approximately one year after the settlement took place, at which time they had retained another attorney to pursue the claim. That attorney wrote to petitioner requesting the file on the accident case and sending a substitution of attorneys for execution. Petitioner did not respond to the request. Petitioner testified he did not forward to the Goldsteins any of the settlement money or the money received for medical expenses. He alleged the money was owed to him for legal services rendered on immigration matters. However, according to petitioner's fee ledger sheet for the Goldstein account, the Goldsteins had paid all fees and costs owed petitioner for services in connection with immigration matters. The first purported accounting of the settlement proceeds was submitted by petitioner during these proceedings in February 1975. Such accounting was later shown to be false. The board found the following misconduct: settling the personal injury claim without authority from or notice to the Goldsteins, signing or causing to be signed Afaf's name to the subrogation agreement and two drafts from Allstate, converting settlement proceeds for petitioner's own use and benefit, and failing to furnish the Goldsteins with any purported accounting of settlement proceeds until the hearing in February 1975. The board recommended petitioner be required to make restitution to Afaf in the amount of $813.95. We are persuaded the disciplinary board's findings as to petitioner's culpability are sufficiently supported.