Opinion ID: 2265997
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Joyce Washington Matter

Text: Joyce Washington (Washington) retained Respondent in the summer of 2005 to represent her in connection with injuries she suffered in an automobile accident. Respondent agreed to handle Washington's case on a contingency fee basis. On or about July 9, 2007, Respondent filed a complaint in Denver County District Court on Washington's behalf. In or around March 2008, Washington signed a settlement agreement in that case. On or about April 10, 2008, Respondent and the opposing counsel filedand the court approveda stipulation that dismissed Washington's case with prejudice. Although Respondent signed the stipulation as Washington's attorney, Respondent did not advise Washington of this event, and Washington did not know the stipulation had been filed. On or about June 3, 2008, the opposing counsel sent Respondent a settlement check for $10,000.00 made payable to Respondent's law office and to Washington. Respondent never advised Washington that she had received these funds. Respondent did not give any portion of the $10,000.00 check to Washington. Neither did Respondent cash the check. In February 2009, Washington attempted to contact Respondent to check on the status of her case. Respondent's telephone was temporarily disconnected. When Washington called Respondent in early March 2009, a recording stated that the number was disconnected and no longer in use. On March 20, 2009, Washington sent Respondent a certified letter regarding her attempts to contact Respondent. The letter noted that Washington had not heard from Respondent since early June 2008. The post office returned the letter as unclaimed. Respondent violated several Rules of Professional Conduct through the course of her representation of Washington. First, Respondent violated Colo. RPC 1.3, which requires lawyers to represent clients with reasonable diligence and promptness. Respondent transgressed this rule by failing to disburse any portion of the settlement to Washington. Next, Respondent violated Colo. RPC 1.4(a)(3), which requires lawyers to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter. Respondent breached this rule by failing to (a) advise Washington of the stipulation; (b) notify Washington of receipt of the settlement check; and (c) respond to Washington's requests for status updates. Third, Respondent violated Colo. RPC 1.15(a), which requires lawyers to hold property of clients that is in the lawyer's position in connection with a representation separate from the lawyer's own property. Respondent failed to deposit the settlement check into a trust account and never obtained Washington's consent to hold the settlement check in another manner.