Opinion ID: 1828316
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Count IBatiste Matter

Text: In July 1996, John Batiste, Jr., retained respondent to institute an action against the Department of the Army. [2] Respondent filed suit on behalf of Mr. Batiste against the Secretary of the Department of the Army and others in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. In March 1997, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss or, alternatively, a motion for summary judgment. Upon respondent's motion, the court continued the hearing for two weeks so as to give respondent time to file an opposition. Respondent failed to submit a timely opposition. By minute entry dated April 23, 1997, the court granted the defendants' motion and dismissed Mr. Batiste's suit. Respondent did not move for reconsideration or file an appeal. Mr. Batiste discharged respondent on June 23, 1998 and filed a legal malpractice action against respondent on July 28, 1999. The facts are disputed with regard to events which occurred between the dismissal of the suit and the discharge of respondent by Mr. Batiste. Respondent testified at the formal hearing that he realized at the time of the dismissal that he believed he filed the petition in the wrong court and needed to file in the Court of Claims in Washington D.C. He contended that he advised Mr. Batiste of the dismissal approximately one week after it occurred and discussed the need to file in the new venue. Respondent testified he obtained information on the appropriate procedure to file in the Court of Claims and met with his client after receiving the information. Based on the information he received, respondent believed he had four years (until the summer of 2001) to file the action in the Court of Claims. As a result, he simply conducted periodic legal research for the first year following the dismissal and tried to become familiar with the procedures in the Court of Claims. Respondent testified Mr. Batiste discharged him in June 1998, without giving him the opportunity to file the suit in the new venue. In contrast, Mr. Batiste testified that respondent did not advise him of the dismissal of his suit, and that he did not learn of the dismissal until June 1998, one year after the case had been dismissed. Upon learning of the dismissal, Mr. Batiste testified he discharged respondent by letter dated June 23, 1998 based on neglect. Additionally, he sent a letter in proper person to the trial court advising the court he was unaware of the dismissal and urging the court to reopen his case. [3] Mr. Batiste also testified he filed a complaint with the ODC advising of respondent's neglect of his legal matter and failure to communicate, filed a legal malpractice suit in proper person against respondent and retained new counsel to pursue his case against the Department of the Army.