Opinion ID: 1175723
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Susan M. Matter

Text: On November 23, 1970, petitioner received $500 from Susan M's parents to represent her in a paternity suit for a child subsequently born on December 31, 1970. Between January 1, 1971, and August 1972 petitioner made no attempt to establish the child's paternity and Susan's parents finally requested that he discontinue his efforts on the case. Between August 1972 and March 1973 Susan's parents repeatedly demanded that petitioner refund their $500 retainer but he returned no portion of such sum until March 29, 1973, when they obtained a default judgment from a small claims court in Riverside County directing him to refund the entire retainer. The record indicates that at no time did petitioner request information from Susan's parents concerning the case nor did he ever attempt to contact Susan.