Opinion ID: 2544002
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Count IIIThe Watson Matter

Text: In July 2006, Marilyn Watson paid respondent $2,800 to represent her son in a criminal matter. Thereafter, Ms. Watson made numerous attempts to contact respondent, but with no success. In September 2006, Ms. Watson filed a disciplinary complaint against respondent. The complaint was forwarded to respondent's primary address and returned to the ODC marked unclaimed. Although the ODC made several more attempts to reach respondent, he did not respond to the complaint until February 2009. In his response, respondent admitted that he received $2,800 from Ms. Watson and failed to perform any work on behalf of her son. Respondent also stated that he was in the process of returning the unearned fees. However, according to Ms. Watson, she did not receive a refund. The ODC alleged respondent's conduct violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.15(d), 8.1(c), 8.4(a), and 8.4(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.