Opinion ID: 1718159
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Williams Matters

Text: The third count of misconduct involved Brehmer's representation of Dennis Williams in 1998. Brehmer was hired to assist Williams in an action he had commenced as a pro se litigant. During discovery, Brehmer failed to provide discovery responses, and when opposing counsel filed a motion to compel discovery, Brehmer failed to notify Williams or send Williams copies of the motion. Brehmer also failed to inform Williams of the hearing date for the motion. Brehmer filed a motion to withdraw in December 1998, while Williams' summary judgment motion was pending. Brehmer failed to serve the required notice of his motion on Williams, and he failed to inform Williams of the motion or the hearing date. Brehmer stated in his motion that his lack of communication with Williams resulted from Williams' unavailability, and Brehmer's motion to withdraw was granted. Brehmer billed Williams, but Brehmer failed to substantiate his billing. The fourth count of misconduct involved Brehmer's representation of Dennis Williams in another matter beginning in February 1996. Williams retained Brehmer to represent him in an action against the City of Minneapolis in a wrongful arrest and harassment matter. Brehmer did not deposit Williams' $1,000 retainer into a trust account. Brehmer sent correspondence regarding Williams' matter to the City of Minneapolis in March and April 1996 and in March 1997, but otherwise failed to work on the matter even though he told Williams that he was pursuing the matter. Brehmer did not return any of the retainer.