Opinion ID: 1377201
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Evidence of Misconduct in the Partition Matter

Text: Although the testimony reveals some dispute over events in the partition matter, all but one of the charges are supported by the evidence. Vanderleelie testified that he formally retained petitioner in November 1982 to file a partition action against Ms. Littlefawn. Vanderleelie gave petitioner a check for $850, representing $750 in legal fees and $100 in filing fees. During the next three months, petitioner advised Vanderleelie against discussing the action with Littlefawn because it was in litigation. It is undisputed that no complaint was ever actually filed. Vanderleelie further testified that in February 1983, he told petitioner that Littlefawn had informally agreed to quitclaim her interest in the property if Vanderleelie would release her from the mortgage obligation. Petitioner purportedly agreed to draft a settlement agreement but failed to do so. After unsuccessfully requesting petitioner to prepare the agreement, Vanderleelie retained another lawyer to do it for him. The following month, Vanderleelie sent a letter asking for the return of his files and a refund of the $850 in fees. Petitioner returned only some of the records and none of the fees. Petitioner testified that he did not file the partition action because Vanderleelie said he had changed his mind and would rather settle the matter informally with Littlefawn. Petitioner also testified that he never offered to draft the settlement agreement, because he thought the parties' terms were legally unenforceable. Nonetheless, he admitted failing to account for the $850 in fees, even after Vanderleelie requested a refund. The foregoing testimony reveals a dispute as to the precise services petitioner was obligated to perform. By concluding that petitioner properly represented Vanderleelie in this matter, the State Bar Court implicitly placed more credence in petitioner's version of events. Because we generally defer to the State Bar's determination on matters of credibility ( Dixon, supra, 32 Cal.3d at p. 736), it cannot be said that petitioner's failure to perform services amounts to wilful neglect. According to petitioner, he would have filed the partition suit if Vanderleelie had not indicated a willingness to settle. Petitioner also cannot be faulted for failing to draft a settlement agreement, because he purportedly never offered to perform that particular service. (2) However, the remaining charges concerning improper withdrawal from employment  while not adequately discussed in the State Bar Court's decision  are amply supported by the evidence. Under petitioner's version of events, he had effectively withdrawn from the case in February 1983, when he declined Vanderleelie's request to draft the settlement agreement. However, he never notified Vanderleelie of his intent to withdraw. Instead, Vanderleelie was compelled to write a letter asking petitioner to return the files. Even then, petitioner ignored his client's request for a refund and never bothered to account for the $850 in prepaid fees. These omissions amount to misconduct warranting disciplinary action. (See, e.g., Rosenthal, supra, 43 Cal.3d at pp. 621-622.)