Opinion ID: 2510075
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Client Matter

Text: There is only one client complaint at issue in the current proceeding. Respondent negotiated a settlement on the client's behalf in connection with a dispute with an automobile dealership. In September 2008, the dealership forwarded a check payable to the client to Respondent with the request that he hold the check in trust. The dealership also informed Respondent that the check carried a payment hold which would be lifted when the client executed a general release agreement. Respondent drafted a general release agreement, and his client thereafter signed it. Respondent then forwarded the agreement to the dealership in late October of 2008. For reasons that are disputed, the client's claim against the dealership lingered and was not promptly resolved. The evidence shows that Respondent was not diligent in concluding the client's claim against the dealership. Following Respondent's suspension from the practice of law in February 2009, he continued representing the client, merely for the purpose of concluding the matter. Respondent failed to inform his client or the dealership of his suspension from the practice of law. In September of 2009, upon learning that the client had not received the settlement funds. Respondent located the check and realized it was stale. Respondent contacted the dealership, as the client's attorney, and requested a new check. Upon his receipt of the new check, Respondent forwarded it to the client. The matter was thus concluded. According to Respondent, he failed to promptly conclude his client's claim and failed to notify his client of the suspension because he was distracted by his myriad of health issues. We find Respondent's testimony credible.