Opinion ID: 2588525
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Presumptive Sanction of Counts I and II

Text: The presumptive sanction is calculated by determining the ethical duties violated, the mental state involved with the violations, and the extent of harm resulting from the misconduct. STANDARDS std. 3.0. The parties do not dispute that the presumptive sanction for Ms. Whitt's improper handling of her client's case is suspension. Violation of Ethical Duties: Ms. Whitt admitted violating four ethical duties: (1) failure to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representation under RPC 1.3, (2) failure to keep the client reasonably informed and to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information under RPC 1.4, (3) failure to abide by the directives of the client under RPC 1.2(a), and (4) engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation under RPC 8.4(c). Mental State: Ms. Whitt's mental state was at least one of knowledge throughout the course of her client's representation. Although Ms. Whitt's misconduct did not benefit her or a third party, she knowingly (1) failed to pursue her client's matter with diligence, (2) took action contrary to the expressed wishes of her client, and (3) deceived her client. She disengaged herself from her client throughout the course of representation. She failed to return phone calls, failed to provide the case status to her client, and failed to act in furtherance of her client's legal expectations. She also knowingly dismissed her client's case with prejudice without any notification to her client. She then misled her client into believing that his case was still pending. Ms. Whitt does not dispute she acted with the requisite knowledge that her actions were adverse to her client's expectations and wishes. Level of Injury: The hearing officer correctly found that Ms. Whitt's conduct resulted in injury to her client. At the very least, Ms. Whitt's actions prevented her client from pursuing new counsel or seeking a second opinion. The misconduct does not rise to the level of serious or potentially serious injury because, as the hearing officer found, Ms. Whitt held the probably correct belief that no jury would award damages to her client and that there might be an award against her client on the counterclaim. Ms. Whitt's conduct, nonetheless, injured her client's potential legal remedies. Resulting Presumptive Sanction: The presumptive sanction is suspension when an attorney (1) knowingly fails to perform services for a client causing injury or potential injury, (2) knowingly deceives his or her client causing injury or potential injury, or (3) knowingly engages in conduct that is a violation of a duty owed as a professional causing injury or potential injury. STANDARDS stds. 4.42(a), 4.62, 7.2. Ms. Whitt's conduct undisputedly satisfies the elements of each of these standards. The hearing officer properly determined Ms. Whitt's presumptive sanction as suspension.