Opinion ID: 2265997
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Christine and Alfonso Valdez Matter

Text: Respondent represented Christine Valdez (Valdez) in her injury claims relating to an automobile accident that took place in August 2003. Respondent filed a complaint on Valdez's behalf on August 14, 2006. On May 4, 2007, the court ordered that Respondent had sixty days to serve and file returns of service on the defendants. The court further provided that failure to comply with the order would result in dismissal of the case without prejudice. Respondent did not file returns of service with the court or otherwise respond to the court's order, and the court dismissed Valdez's case on August 3, 2007. The statute of limitations precluded re-filing of the case. Notwithstanding the dismissal of Valdez's case and the applicable statute of limitations, Respondent represented to Valdez as late as November 6, 2008, that Respondent was still pursuing the claim and that a trial date would be set. Valdez heard nothing from Respondent regarding this matter after November 6, 2008. In her representation of Valdez, Respondent violated several rules. First, Respondent violated Colo. RPC 1.3 by neglecting to serve and file returns of service on the defendants in Valdez's case. Second, Respondent violated Colo. RPC 1.4(a)(3) by failing to advise Valdez that (a) Respondent had failed to serve and file returns of service; (b) Respondent had failed to respond to the court's order of May 4, 2007; and (c) the court had subsequently dismissed Valdez's case. Respondent also breached this rule by failing to communicate with Valdez after November 6, 2008. Lastly, Respondent violated Colo. RPC 8.4(c), which bars lawyers from engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. Respondent misrepresented facts by informing Valdez that Respondent was still pursuing Valdez's injury claim after that case had been dismissed.