Opinion ID: 2332947
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Count IIIGibbs

Text: ¶ 16 Michael Gibbs (Gibbs) hired Latimer in 2005 to probate Henry Berry's (Berry) estate so that he could obtain marketable title to real property obtained from the estate. For the next three (3) years, Gibbs made multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact the attorney at his office, at his home, through his secretary, and by leaving messages on his door. When he was successful in getting through to Latimer, the respondent promised that he would get the matter quickly resolved. When no progress was made on the case, Gibbs submitted a complaint to the Tulsa County Bar Association. As in the Noble/James situation, Latimer did not respond to inquires of the County Bar and the grievance was forwarded to the Oklahoma Bar Association. Latimer was asked to respond first in a letter dated October 27, 2008 and again in a letter written on November 24th. The Bar Association did receive a letter from Latimer on December 10, 2008 stating that he would close the estate and obtain marketable title to the real property shortly after the first of the year. The probate proceeding remains uncompleted and the respondent has failed to return the file as Gibbs requested. ¶ 17 Latimer's actions have been deemed admitted and are grounds for professional misconduct. He has violated Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 3.2, 8.1(b), 8.4(a)(c)(d), Rules Governing Professional Conduct, 5 O.S. Supp.2008, Ch. 1, App. 3-A; Rule 1.3 and 5.2, Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings, 5 O.S. 2001, Ch. 1, App. 1-A.