Opinion ID: 1612479
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Commission Decision.

Text: The commission found Herrera neglected the appeal in the Penuelas case in violation of DR 3-104(D) and DR 6-101(A)(3), but dismissed the remaining counts of the complaint. It found the $5000 paid to Herrera by Penuelas was not a retainer, but a fee which had been fully earned by the time Herrera received it. Accordingly, the Board found Herrera had no obligation to place the check in his trust account. The commission also dismissed the charges relating to the insufficient funds checks. It found the issue was not adequately pled in the complaint. The commission also dismissed the failure to cooperate complaint. It found the Client Security Commission did not cooperate with Herrera to accommodate his busy schedule. Finally, the commission found Herrera did not violate DR 7-104(A)(1) by visiting with Santos because Herrera was not representing Lopez at the time. The commission recommended Herrera be publicly reprimanded for neglect of a client matter. It recommended dismissal of the remaining counts.