Opinion ID: 2329269
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Second Order Entering Partial Judgment on Pleadings

Text: In an order dated May 18, 2011, the PDJ concluded that the factual findings and legal determinations made in his March 9, 2011, order granting partial judgment on the pleadings also established that Respondent violated Colo. RPC 1.15(b) and 1.16(d). Colo. RPC 1.15(b) requires a lawyer who has received funds in which a client or a third party has an interest to deliver to that person, promptly or as otherwise permitted by law or agreement, any funds he or she is entitled to receive. The PDJ's March 9, 2011, order granting partial judgment as to Colo. RPC 8.4(c) established that (1) Respondent received an advance fee in which Allen or Allen's mother had an interest, (2) Respondent had not delivered those funds to Allen or Allen's mother, and (3) Allen or Allen's mother was entitled to receive at least $9,687.00 of those funds. Therefore, the PDJ determined in his May 18, 2011, order that Respondent had violated Colo. RPC 1.15(b). Colo. RPC 1.16(d) provides that, [u]pon termination of representation, a lawyer shall take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client's interests, including refunding any advance payment of fee or expense that has not been earned or incurred. The PDJ's order of March 9, 2011, establishes that (1) Respondent's representation of Allen terminated when Respondent's suspension took effect on April 22, 2010, (2) Respondent had not refunded the advance fee he received for the representation, and (3) Respondent had not earned at least $9,687.00 of that advance fee. Accordingly, the PDJ concluded in his May 18, 2011, order that Respondent also had violated Colo. RPC 1.16(d).