Opinion ID: 1792167
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The M.M. Client Matter

Text: ¶ 28. Counts 12-14 involved a family law matter in which Attorney Scanlan was alleged to have violated SCR 20:1.3, [12] former SCR 20:1.15(a), and SCR 20:1.16(d). Attorney Scanlan agreed to represent M.M. to seek an amendment to an existing custody and placement order. In April 2002 M.M. paid an advance of $2000, which Attorney Scanlan placed in his business checking account rather than his client trust account. Attorney Scanlan closed his Wisconsin office in July 2002 and moved to Illinois without telling M.M., or providing contact information to him. Attorney Scanlan took no steps to amend the existing custody and placement order and did not contact M.M. or refund any part of the $2000 advance fee, or return documents M.M. had left with him. ¶ 29. The referee found that the $2000 fee was an advance against hourly fees and was deposited in Attorney Scanlan's business, rather than trust account. Attorney Scanlan did not prepare a fee agreement. Absolutely no work was done for the $2000 and eventually M.M. applied for and received $2000 from the Wisconsin Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection. ¶ 30. Attorney Scanlan agreed, as to Count 12, that his conduct violated SCR 20:1.3, requiring counsel to represent a client with reasonable diligence and promptness. As to Count 13, the referee concluded that by failing to deposit the $2000 advance in his trust account, Attorney Scanlan violated former SCR 20:1.15(a), providing counsel must hold a client's property in trust. As for Count 14, Attorney Scanlan agreed, and the referee concluded, that by moving to Illinois without notice and without returning papers or the $2000 advance fee, Attorney Scanlan violated 20:1.16(d), providing upon termination of representation, counsel shall take reasonable steps to protect his client's interests.