Opinion ID: 1612977
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Counts v. & VIThe Jarreau Matter

Text: In March 2004, Diane Holm Jarreau hired respondent to represent her son, Jake Ortego, in post-conviction relief proceedings following his state criminal conviction. Ms. Jarreau paid respondent a total of $5,000 in advanced fixed fees for the representation. Thereafter, respondent filed a petition and memorandum but took no further steps to bring the matter to a conclusion. She failed to maintain communication with her client or Ms. Jarreau. She also failed to timely or properly withdraw from the representation. Finally, respondent failed to account for the earned portion of the fee or refund the unearned portion of the fee. During her June 30, 2005 sworn statement, respondent admitted to the above misconduct and agreed to provide the ODC with certain documentation by July 15, 2005. She also agreed to refund the unearned fees, with legal interest, by July 15, 2005. Nevertheless, respondent did not provide the ODC with the requested documentation. She also did not refund the unearned fees and interest, totaling $6,130.24, until June 2007. The ODC alleged that respondent's conduct violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(f)(5), 1.16(a) (failure to withdraw from the representation of a client), 1.16(d), 8.1(c), 8.4(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.