Opinion ID: 2588467
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Brian and Michelle Shute

Text: On March 11, 1998, the Shutes contacted Kagele to represent them in a dispute with their neighbors, the Coveys. The Coveys intended to build a garage at the end of a common driveway shared with the Shutes that would possibly block the Shutes' access to the alley. At the meeting, the Shutes provided Kagele with documents and photographs and specifically told Kagele that they wanted to review the complaint before it was filed and wanted him to return the documents when he was finished. Kagele told the Shutes that he would inspect the property that week. His inspection, however, amounted to driving by the home, and he did not look at the alley in the back of the home. The Shutes signed the fully-earned, nonrefundable retainer fee agreement, providing that they would pay $3,200. They paid $500 on March 11 and were to pay $1,000 per month with the balance due by June 1, 1998. The next week, the Shutes called Kagele and were informed that the complaint had the usual and typical stuff. DP at 14-15. Kagele, however, did not review the complaint in detail with the Shutes over the telephone. He then mailed a copy of the complaint to the Shutes rather than faxing the copy as they had requested. Furthermore, Kagele testified that he always sends his clients drafts of the summonses and complaints before they are filed, but he did not follow that practice with the Shutes. On March 23, 1998, he filed the summons and complaint in Shute v. Covey in Spokane County Superior Court. The complaint addressed the problem of the access to the Shutes' garage but made no mention of the problem of access to the alley beyond the garage. Additionally, the complaint contained incomplete and/or inaccurate legal descriptions, references to a 1919 easement rather than the more desirable prescriptive easement now in use, and an attempt to quiet title only to the center line of the one-car width driveway, which would prevent the Shutes from using the driveway. On March 30, 1998, the Shutes terminated Kagele's services and requested that Kagele return their documents and photographs, as well as the $650 retainer minus any actual costs. That same day Kagele informed the Shutes that if they did not pay the remainder of the fee by June 1, 1998, regardless of whether they terminated his services, he would commence litigation to collect the remainder. On April 10, 1998, Michael D. Currin, the Shutes' new lawyer, sent Kagele a letter requesting that Kagele provide an itemized billing statement and the Shutes' original file. Mr. Currin stated that the Shutes were willing to pay Kagele a reasonable amount for his services. On April 13, 1998, Kagele received a warning of trespass from the Covey's lawyer but did not inform the Shutes of the warning. On April 23, 1998, Kagele filed a small claims action against the Shutes. On April 27, 1998, Kagele filed a notice of attorney lien for $2,700 in Shute v. Covey, as well as a notice of withdrawal of attorney. In the meantime, Mr. Shute requested his file several times before he appeared at Kagele's office on May 8, 1998. Kagele subsequently mailed the file to the Shutes. On June 25, 1998, the small claims court awarded a judgment for Kagele for an additional $2,525 with 12 percent interest. The Shutes paid the judgment.