Opinion ID: 2060466
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Two Additional Violations Found by the Board.

Text: Besides the three violations found by the Hearing Committee, to which neither side excepted, the Board sua sponte found that respondent had violated two additional rules. The Board has the authority to do so. If the record supports a finding that more rules were violated than the Hearing Committee concluded, the Board can take such action. In re Drew, 693 A.2d 1127 (D.C. 1997) (per curiam). The Board is not limited to the Hearing Committee's ultimate findings of fact, viz., whether particular rules were violated. Id. at 1132. [8] We turn now to the merits of those additional violations. a. Rule 1.3(a) (zeal and diligence). The Hearing Committee was mistaken as to its right to find a violation on this charge. That this charge may be essentially duplicative of another is irrelevant. Drew, supra, 693 A.2d at 1127. A lawyer violates the requirements of zeal and diligence when he or she fails to communicate with the client and fails to take the necessary steps to preserve the client's interests. In re Lyles, 680 A.2d 408 (D.C.1996). A personal crisis does not justify an extended neglect of a pending case. See In re Dunietz, 687 A.2d 206, 211-12 (D.C.1996). The Board's finding is supported by evidence that respondent showed scant effort in pursuing the State Farm matter, neglected to keep his clients apprised of its status, and ultimately allowed its dismissal for want of prosecution. These facts betray a lack of zealousness and diligence in pursuing the State Farm case. b. Rule 1.4(b) (failure to explain matters to client). The Hearing Committee made no finding whatever as to this alleged violation. It was apparently an omission on the part of the Hearing Committee, and the Board properly revived the issue in its report. Cf. Drew, supra, 693 A.2d at 1127 (we agree with the Board's determination that respondent violated the eight charges that the committee chose not to consider). The record reflects that respondent did not inform Wheaton and Smith that he had filed the West Virginia suit for eighteen months and that he did not inform them of State Farm's settlement offer. Had he explained his progress in the matter, and that an offer to settle the claim in full would of course be superior to litigation, his clients could have instructed respondent to accept the offer. As it was, they never even knew about it. [9]