Opinion ID: 2224668
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Dennis/Neff Matters

Text: Bradley Dennis and Nathan Neff retained respondent to file bankruptcies for their businesses and to defend them in an action which had been brought against them. Respondent filed bankruptcy petitions in August 1986 but in September 1986, the plaintiff in the lawsuit obtained a replevin order from Hennepin County District Court and sought to have the bankruptcy stay lifted to enforce the replevin order. Respondent appeared at a motion hearing on September 15, 1986, but never told his clients of the hearing. The court lifted the bankruptcy stay. In October 1986 the plaintiff in the lawsuit filed a motion for summary judgment. Respondent neither submitted a response in opposition to the motion nor notified his clients of the hearing. On the day of the hearing respondent telephoned the judge's secretary and said he was suffering from ulcers and was unable to appear. The court allowed respondent two additional days to submit arguments in opposition to the motion but he still submitted no response. The court ordered judgment against Dennis and Neff in the amount of $105,811.53 plus $14,987.50 in attorneys fees. Also in October 1986, the bankruptcy trustee moved to dismiss the bankruptcy petitions. Respondent appeared at the hearing but had not notified Dennis or Neff of the scheduled motion hearing. The court dismissed both petitions for failure to file complete schedules.