Opinion ID: 1991636
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: The Rich Matter

Text: In October 1984, Marion Nicholas Rich (grievant) retained respondent to apply for the attachment of her ex-husband's pension funds to ensure the payment of alimony. For approximately four to six months, grievant telephoned respondent on a regular basis, most of the time reaching an answering machine. Eventually, respondent appeared at grievant's home on a Sunday evening, at which time he instructed her to sign a legal document which was to be filed with the court. No retainer agreement or fees were ever discussed. Grievant testified that she and respondent had become friends and that, in 1981, she lent him the sum of $3,000.00. It was her belief that any fee due and owing to respondent would be deducted from said loan. In April 1985, grievant received a telephone call from the probation department advising her that the file would be closed as a result of her ex-husband's retirement from his employment. Following numerous attempts by grievant to contact respondent, in May 1985 he advised her that an order for the wage execution had been signed and forwarded to the probation department. In August 1985, grievant received a document from the probation department, informing her that the wage execution was no longer enforceable. Whereupon grievant contacted respondent and requested that he file an application with the court seeking a modification of the order and the attachment of the pension fund. Respondent failed to appear at the hearing or otherwise pursue the matter in grievant's behalf. In September 1985, grievant tried to contact respondent numerous times, leaving messages on his answering machine. At the court's suggestion, she retained new counsel. He ignored her requests that the file be returned to her. Additionally, in 1983, grievant instructed respondent to modify her will to make it self-proving. Respondent neither prepared a new will nor returned the old will to grievant. The hearing before the district ethics committee was held on January 14, 1986. Respondent failed to appear. The committee concluded that respondent had violated DR 6-101(A)(3), DR 7-101(A) and superseding R.P.C. 1.3, R.P.C. 1.1(a), R.P.C. 1.4 and R.P.C. 8.4. Specifically, respondent had failed to abide by the client's decision concerning the representation of the matter; had failed to attach her ex-husband's pension funds and to revise her will; had failed to act with due diligence and competence; had failed to keep the client informed about the status of the matter; had misrepresented the status of the matter; and had been guilty of misconduct. The committee recommended that a presentment be brought against respondent.