Opinion ID: 1227779
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: National Association of Credit Management

Text: In 1981, the National Association of Credit Management (NACM) forwarded 121 accounts to the respondent for collection. The accounts totaled approximately $348,000, and NACM advanced court costs in the amount of $8,350. The costs were advanced to pay filing fees, service fees, and post-judgment costs, such as garnishments and transcripts. The respondent failed to provide the required progress reports to NACM. Respondent justified his failure by blaming secretaries and his computer. Respondent left the law firm where he was associated and shortly thereafter contacted the credit manager of NACM. Respondent reported that his computer problems were solved and provided a partial list of reports on the accounts that had been forwarded to him. A number of files were reported closed as uncollectible, but the unused costs were not returned. The credit manager made repeated requests for the return of the original documents and the unused costs on the closed files. A status report was also requested on the outstanding cases. In some instances the respondent complied with the request and in others he did not. The respondent complained at one point that he had forwarded reports that subsequently had been lost by NACM. In January of 1982, the respondent sent a refund check to NACM indicating that it was for the unused costs on thirty-eight cases. However, he failed to return the documents or the files on the thirty-eight cases. In March of 1982, upon NACM's request, the respondent promised to return original documents in twenty cases, but never did. In May, the credit manager wrote the respondent demanding the return of three specific files by a date certain, along with the original documents and unused costs. He also requested that other files be returned if not currently subject to payment arrangements with the debtor. The respondent did not comply with the request and NACM hired counsel to obtain the files. In July the respondent returned some of the files, but refused to return others. Prior to the filing of a grievance, the respondent did not account for costs, and payment was not made until grievance proceedings were commenced. The record also reflects that, at times, respondent's cost and trust account did not have sufficient funds to cover the costs owed to NACM. The respondent has admitted neglect of the NACM accounts and his failure to provide status reports. He also acknowledges that he failed to withdraw from representation of NACM after he was discharged and that he did not return the files upon demand or refund the unused costs advanced by NACM. The hearing board found by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent's conduct violated C.R.C.P. 241.6(1) and (3), and that the respondent violated DR 6-101(A)(3) (neglect of a legal matter), DR 9-102(B)(4) (a lawyer shall promptly deliver property to client to which client is entitled), [4] DR 1-102(A)(1) (violation of a disciplinary rule).