Opinion ID: 2600234
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 30

Heading: claim xvi'

Text: [A Lawyer Shall Not Engage In Conduct Involving Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit Or Misrepresentation (Knowing Conversion) Colo. RPC 8.4(c)] Paragraphs 176 through 185 are incorporated herein. Colo. RPC 8.4(e) provides that it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. The respondent agreed to provide services in Mr. Barrington's case for $500 for which he was paid. The respondent did not provide any services to his client or for his client's benefit in his case. By failing to provide any services in his client's case the respondent did not earn the fees ($500) he had been paid and did not complete the services for which he had been hired. By failing to return the $500 that Mr. Barrington had paid to the respondent when the respondent had not earned such fees the respondent exercised dominion or ownership over such funds held for Mr. Barrington's benefit. The respondent knew that he was keeping the $500 of funds he had not earned, knowing that such funds should be returned to his client because he had not earned them and knowing that keeping such funds was not authorized. The respondent did not have permission from the client to use his funds for his personal purposes. Through the unauthorized exercise of dominion or ownership these funds, the respondent knowingly converted or mis-appropriated such client funds. Through his conversion or misappropriation of client funds, the respondent engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. The foregoing conduct of the respondent establishes grounds for discipline as provided for in C.R.C.P. 251.5 and violates Colo. RPC 8.4(c). WHEREFORE, the complainant prays at the conclusion hereof.