Opinion ID: 1919646
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Docket Number 226-84: Peamon Complaint

Text: Respondent was retained by Mr. Peamon to represent him in pending civil rights litigation and in further litigation to be filed against the Washington Hilton Hotel and his labor union alleging violations of his civil rights in connection with his dismissal from employment as a banquet waiter. Respondent never initiated any contact with his client concerning his case and never returned his client's telephone calls. Respondent did meet with his client when the client visited Respondent's office, at which time Respondent indicated that work was being performed and that a new lawsuit had been filed. In fact, Respondent had not filed a new lawsuit. He did enter his appearance in the pending suit about two months after he was retained and only after the suit had been dismissed in the interval. Respondent also failed to respond to three letters from Bar Counsel inquiring about the Peamon complaint, one of which was personally served, and he failed to respond to Bar Counsel's subpoena for documents. The Hearing Committee found that Respondent's conduct had violated DR 6-101(A)(3) and DR 7-101(A)(1) in that he had failed to pursue litigation on behalf of his client despite repeated reminders from his client. In addition, Respondent claimed falsely that: (1) he had filed suit; (2) initiated discovery in such suit; and (3) had scheduled a hearing. He even went so far as to supply a false case number to his client. Thus, Respondent's affirmative efforts to hide his neglect raises his neglect to an intentional failure to pursue his client's objectives. Finally, the Hearing Committee concluded that Respondent had violated DR 1-102(A)(4) in misrepresenting the status of the case to his client and DR 1-102(A)(5) in failing to respond to Bar Counsel's legitimate inquiries. We agree.