Opinion ID: 1857715
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Delvalle Matter

Text: On June 2, 1999, the day after respondent and the ODC filed a joint petition for interim suspension in this court, respondent accepted the representation of Angela Delvalle in a custody matter. Ms. Delvalle paid respondent a $3,000 retainer fee. Respondent accepted the representation knowing he was to be interimly suspended. He also failed to communicate with his client and neglected her legal matter when he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing on June 15, 1999. On June 30, 1999, Ms. Delvalle terminated respondent's representation. Thereafter, respondent refunded $2,000 to Ms. Delvalle but failed to account for the balance of the fee he retained. In July 1999, Ms. Delvalle filed a complaint against respondent with the ODC. The ODC alleged that respondent's conduct violated Rules 1.3 (failure to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client), 1.4 [1] (failure to communicate with a client), 1.15, and 8.4(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.