Opinion ID: 2590331
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The Bishop Matter 07PDJ085

Text: On October 16, 2000, Genevieve Bishop filed a lawsuit against her ex-husband in Lake County, Illinois related to businesses they owned together. Ms. Bishop's ex-husband later died in January 2003. His widow subsequently filed a petition for the formal probate of his will in La Plata County District Court. Ms. Bishop then retained Respondent and paid him a $5000.00 retainer fee to represent her in matters related to the probate case. On July 11, 2003, Respondent filed a claim in the probate case of unknown value but anticipated to be in excess of $200,000.00 on behalf of Ms. Bishop. The claim alleged fraud, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty related to various entities controlled by her ex-husband. Both sides filed several pleadings related to the claim, including a motion to dismiss filed by the personal representative. On December 3, 2003, the probate court held the motion to dismiss in abeyance and ordered Ms. Bishop to file a civil action in a court of appropriate jurisdiction within thirty days and provide proof within forty days. If Ms. Bishop failed to comply with this order, the probate court would grant the personal representative's motion to dismiss. The next day, Respondent notified the probate court of the civil action in Lake County. On January 24, 2004, the Lake County civil action was dismissed without prejudice at the request of Ms. Bishop's Illinois counsel in order to pursue the claim in Colorado. Respondent filed a civil action in La Plata County on March 17, 2004. On June 7, 2004, the La Plata District Court dismissed the civil action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The district court found that Ms. Bishop had failed to file the civil action in a timely manner and failed to provide proof of that filing to the probate court. Respondent first filed a notice of appeal with the Colorado Court of Appeals, but then later filed a notice of dismissal. Ms. Bishop denies that she authorized the dismissal motion. Respondent violated Colo. RPC 1.3 when he failed to file an action in La Plata County District Court against the ex-husband's estate within the deadline set by the probate court. Respondent also violated Colo. RPC 1.3 when he failed to prosecute the appeal. As a result, Ms. Bishop lost her right to pursue her claims against her ex-husband's estate.