Opinion ID: 2640579
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: count ivfailure to respond to the sanders grievance

Text: ¶ 15 In September of 2002, Respondent performed some legal work for Leona Sanders and her husband. After Mr. Sanders died, respondent borrowed $10,000.00 from Leona Sanders. After he failed to timely repay the $10,000.00, Leona Sanders filed suit to collect on the note. The docket shows that judgment was entered for Leona Sanders and that the trial court awarded her attorney fees and costs. After the trial court entered judgment for the $10,000.00, it stayed the execution. Respondent satisfied the judgment, and the plaintiff filed a release and satisfaction. ¶ 16 Acting on its own motion, the OBA filed a grievance (Sanders grievance) concerning Respondent's conduct surrounding the loan and the failure to timely repay it. In a letter dated March 25, 2004, the OBA advised Respondent of the Sanders grievance and informed him that he was required to respond within twenty days. Although the letter was not returned to the OBA, Respondent did not respond within the time limit. In a letter dated April 15, 2004, the OBA mailed a certified letter to Respondent advising him to respond within five days or be subpoenaed. Respondent signed the return card on April 16, 2004. However, Respondent did not respond within the five days. On April 20, 2004, a subpoena duces tecum was issued requiring Respondent to appear on May 6 for deposition and produce records. On April 26, the OBA received Respondent's written response dated April 19 and postmarked April 23. At the deposition, Respondent admitted receiving the March 25th letter and being dilatory in [his] response ... because [he] was in trial for two days yesterday and had a very high work load. ¶ 17 The OBA General Counsel presented the Sanders grievance to the Professional Responsibility Commission (Commission). The Commission directed no formal disciplinary proceedings be filed on the original Sanders grievance but the pending complaint be amended to include Respondent's failure to timely respond to the OBA's requests for information.