Opinion ID: 2588467
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Clara Hite

Text: On June 6, 1996, Clara Hite hired Kagele to represent her in a dispute regarding a house she shared with her boyfriend, Mathew Winkler. Ms. Hite had advanced money for the house. Kagele told Ms. Hite that a complaint would have to be filed in order to prevent Mr. Winkler from selling the house. Ms. Hite signed the fully-earned, nonrefundable retainer fee agreement, providing for a $3,000 retainer fee. At this time, Ms. Hite offered to give Kagele copies of her documentation, and Kagele told her to get together the documents showing her investment in the house. Ms. Hite initiated all of the contacts with Kagele and left messages for him on June 17; July 3, 24, 26; August 6, 12, 14, 16, 20; and September 5, 1996. Kagele did not return these calls. On July 11, Ms. Hite reached Kagele, and he informed her that the complaint would be served momentarily. On July 31, Kagele reported that he had not spoken to the process server to determine if the complaint had been served. He still had not spoken to the server on August 21. On August 26, 1996, Ms. Hite sent Kagele a letter terminating his services and requesting the return of her money. Kagele received the letter on September 4 and called Ms. Hite at her father's home. Kagele did not reach Ms. Hite but spoke to her father. The next day, Kagele filed a complaint for damages and equitable relief on behalf of Ms. Hite. Also on this day, Ms. Hite sent Kagele a letter via facsimile, asking about the conversation with her father and the status of her case. On September 7, 1996, Mr. Winkler was served with the summons and complaint, and on or about September 10, Kagele received another letter via facsimile from Ms. Hite indicating that she no longer wanted Kagele to pursue the case. Kagele nonetheless filed a lis pendens on September 10. Kagele did not return any of the $3,000 retainer because he did not think that Ms. Hite's termination was justified. DP at 28.