Opinion ID: 1794043
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Count III The Porter Matter

Text: In May 2003, Peggy Porter paid respondent $500 to complete a community property settlement incidental to her prior divorce. Respondent told Ms. Porter that the matter would be completed within two weeks. For the next five months, however, Ms. Porter heard nothing from respondent, despite her repeated efforts to reach him. Furthermore, during this period, Ms. Porter learned that her former husband had sold some of the community assets. In October 2003, Ms. Porter traveled from her home in Illinois to meet with respondent at his office in Shreveport. During the meeting, respondent admitted to neglecting the case, but prepared documents for Ms. Porter to approve, and stated the documents would be revised and mailed the next day. The documents were not mailed, however, and respondent did not take any further action, nor did he communicate with his client regarding the status of the matter. In November 2003, Ms. Porter filed a complaint against respondent with the ODC. Respondent failed to reply to the complaint, and he has not refunded any portion of the fee Ms. Porter paid. The ODC alleges that respondent's conduct violates the following provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct: Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(f)(6), and 8.1(c)/8.4(g) (failure to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation).