Opinion ID: 1971393
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Larry Fisher

Text: In June 1980, respondent was retained by Larry Fisher to represent him at a probation revocation hearing. Respondent requested, and received, a one thousand dollar ($1,000) retainer. Thereafter, Fisher was indicted on an uttering charge. He again sought the representation of respondent who requested an additional one thousand dollar ($1,000) retainer. As arraignment on the uttering charge was to occur before the probation revocation hearing, Fisher agreed to transfer the retainer from the probation revocation case to the uttering case, until further payments could be made. Ultimately, Fisher paid at least five hundred dollars of the second retainer. At the probation revocation hearing on August 25, 1980, respondent did not appear, sending in his place an associate with his firm, Patrick Patrissi. Patrissi, a member of the District of Columbia Bar, never before had handled a probation revocation; never before had spoken to respondent about the case; and, in fact, by memo from respondent's secretary, was requested to substitute for respondent only that morning. Due to his admitted ignorance of Super.Ct.Crim.R. 32, which grants a defendant the right to postpone a revocation proceeding pending resolution of new criminal charges if those charges are used in pressing the probation violation, Patrissi raised no objection when, based upon Fisher's rearrest, the court revoked probation and sent Fisher to jail. While in jail, Fisher and his family attempted to contact respondent to request help. Respondent never returned the telephone messages left at his office. On one occasion, respondent's secretary informed Fisher when he called that, unless he fulfilled the retainer agreement, respondent would withdraw as his counsel. Some time later, respondent did withdraw from representing Fisher in the uttering case. Only after Fisher received new appointed counsel on this latter case was the erroneous revocation of his probation recognized and remedied by his release  more than six months later.