Opinion ID: 1768691
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Count IXThe Smith Matter

Text: In April 1996, Patricia Smith retained respondent to obtain a divorce on her behalf. Ms. Smith paid respondent $290 on April 4, 1996 and an additional $200 on October 23, 1997. However, respondent failed to complete the representation. He also failed to account for any earned portion of the legal fee and failed to refund the unearned portion of the fee. [5] In June 2000, Ms. Smith filed a complaint against respondent with the ODC. On July 13, 2000, the ODC forwarded a copy of the complaint to respondent by certified mail. Respondent failed to reply to the complaint. The ODC thereafter served respondent with a subpoena compelling him to appear and answer the complaint under oath. Respondent failed to appear. The ODC alleges that respondent's conduct in this matter violates the following provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct: Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(f), 1.16(d), 8.1(c), 8.4(a), and 8.4(g).