Opinion ID: 1439142
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Enix Complaint

Text: The first aggravating factor set out in the petition for disbarment and considered by the trial court involved Mr. Newman's representation of Mr. Enix. As previously stated, Mr. Newman accepted a check for $2,500.00 from Jim Enix as payment to represent his son, Kurt. Mr. Newman deposited this check into his personal account, but almost seven months later contacted Kurt and asked him to sign five money orders that he subsequently turned over to his law firm. According to the Committee's complaint, Mr. Newman's action in this matter resulted in violations of Model Rules 1.15(a), 8.4(b), and 8.4(c). Mr. Newman stated that the fee in the Enix matter was originally supposed to be $5,000.00. He further stated that he initially received a $2,500.00 check from Robin Enix, Kurt's wife, and then a second check for $2,500.00 from Jim, but the check from Robin was written on insufficient funds. According to Mr. Newman, he did not report the $2,500.00 that he received in the hope that the firm would continue to bill the Enixes and eventually collect the remaining $2,500.00 owed. The special judge found that Mr. Newman violated Rules 1.15(a), 8.4(b), and 8.4(c). In so concluding, the special judge discredited Mr. Newman's explanation on this matter and found that he received this legal fee and deposited it into his personal account. According to the special judge, Mr. Newman then concocted an elaborate means to get the money to the Matthews law firm. The special judge also found that Mr. Newman falsified a law firm document showing the Enix fee to be a flat fee of $2,500.00. The only challenge raised by Mr. Newman as to this matter is the trial court's finding that he violated Rule 8.4(b) because there was no evidence that he committed a criminal act. Having resolved this issue in the Barkasy matter, we need not review it again.