Opinion ID: 1689462
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Count VII: Trust Account Violations

Text: Sullins collected a retainer fee from Mersch, Cason, Brown, Rolek, and Olson. Prior to obtaining the retainer fees, Sullins did not perform substantial services for any client and did not earn a significant portion of the retainer fee. Sullins did not place any of the retainer fees into a trust account, save $700 of Rolek's $1000 retainer fee. Because Sullins claims his records in each of the above five clients' cases were stolen, he cannot produce any records to prove where the funds were located. The Commission found Sullins violated DR 9-102 (all funds paid by client to lawyer shall be deposited into trust account) and 9-103(A) (lawyer shall maintain on a current basis books and records to demonstrate compliance with DR 9-102).