Opinion ID: 2360393
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Complaint of Andrea Catrice Dorsey

Text: Respondent was retained by Ms. Dorsey on January 13, 2004, to represent her in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in order to address and suspend a pending foreclosure of her home. More than two months later, respondent filed a Voluntary Petition for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland on behalf of Ms. Dorsey, but failed to file a Chapter 13 Plan. In April, 2004, the court dismissed the petition, with prejudice. A month later, respondent filed an Emergency Request for Hearing and Motion for Reconsideration of Order Dismissing Case, representing to the court that he had filed both a bankruptcy petition and a bankruptcy plan. Respondent claimed that he attached a Chapter 13 Plan to his emergency motion, however, neither the docket nor the case file reflect the filing of a Chapter 13 Plan. Two days later, respondent received notice from the Clerk's office that his motion failed to contain a certificate of service or a proposed order with his motion and that he had 10 days to cure those defects. He apparently attempted to cure the defect but failed to follow the requisite format required under the Federal Rules. The Bankruptcy Court allowed respondent ten additional calendar days to cure the defect. When he failed to cure the defects within the allotted time, the Bankruptcy Court issued an Order dismissing the case for failing to comply with required filing procedures. Shortly thereafter, within 180 days of the dismissal of Ms. Dorsey's original petition, respondent filed a second Voluntary Petition for Chapter 13 which was dismissed by the Court on the ground that Ms. Dorsey was not entitled to relief within 180 days of the dismissal of her petition. A few months later, Ms. Dorsey filed a complaint with Bar Counsel. Within a few days, Bar Counsel mailed a request for information to respondent seeking a response within fifteen days. Respondent failed to respond. Two months later, Bar Counsel sent a second notice to respondent. On the same day, however, Bar Counsel received respondent's response to his first inquiry in which respondent stated that he could not in good faith file a Chapter 13 because we would be explicitedly agreeing to repay the much higher and incorrect debt amount, and that he believed that there was a disputed arrearage between the mortgage holder and the debtor. Bar Counsel then requested that respondent provide the original client file of Ms. Dorsey's matter within ten days. Respondent failed to respond. Thereafter, respondent was served with a copy of Statement of Charges from the Peer Review Committee. Respondent failed to cooperate with the Committee's investigation which resulted in the process being terminated pursuant to Md. Rule 16-743(b)(2). Bar Counsel charged respondent with violating MLRPC 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 8.1 and 8.4. The hearing judge concluded that respondent violated (1) MLRPC 1.1 by failing to represent [Ms. Dorsey] with the required and necessary thoroughness and preparation when he failed to file a Chapter 13 Plan on her behalf after having filed the petition in the bankruptcy court, (2) MLRPC 1.3 by failing to represent Ms. Dorsey in a diligent manner that resulted in reasonable and prompt representation, including a lack of diligence and knowledge of the rudimentary rules governing the filing of a bankruptcy petition when he filed a second petition for Chapter 13 within 180 days of the first dismissal, (3) MLRPC 1.4(a) and (b) by failing to keep Ms. Dorsey informed of the status of her case, (4) MLRPC 1.5(a) by charging and collecting from Ms. Dorsey an excessive fee that did not comport to the services performed by respondent on Ms. Dorsey's behalf, (5) MLRPC 8.1(b) by refusing to provide petitioner with the entire client file upon request in order for petitioner to conclude the investigation, and (6) MLRPC 8.4(d) by engaging in conduct that was prejudicial to the administration of justice.