Opinion ID: 2071683
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Ronald Furey

Text: Like the Phillips case, the Furey complaint is essentially a fee dispute. Ficker agreed to represent Furey in two related mattersin District Court and before the Motor Vehicle Administration. He charged a fee of $199 for the administrative hearing and a fee of $699 for the District Court case. Furey made an initial payment of $450, and Ficker and Nelligan entered their appearances. The MVA hearing was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on February 5, 1991. Somehow, Ficker noted on his calendar that the hearing was scheduled for 1:00, so he did not appear at the proper time. After a call from Furey, he showed up at 10:00 and represented Furey, apparently successfully. Furey then discharged Ficker, obtained other counsel for the District Court proceeding, and demanded a refund. There is some dispute whether Ficker initially agreed to a refund, but ultimately he refused. AGC charged him with violating MLRPC Rules 1.3, 1.5(a), 1.16, and 8.4. Judge Ferretti found no violation of any of those rules, and AGC has accepted that decision.