Opinion ID: 2297758
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Initial Retainer

Text: The Berows initially retained respondent to file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which she did. Within a short period of time, two other matters arose which folded into the bankruptcy casethe consequences of a creditor's temporary repossession of Mr. Berow's automobile and a separate action against Ms. Berow's employer, Sinai Hospital, and her supervisor, Diane Bongiovanni. The charges against respondent arose from all three matters which, to an extent, overlapped in time, as well as from respondent's replies to inquiries by Bar Counsel that were triggered by them. In mid-2009, the Berows were having financial difficulties. On June 3, 2009, Ms. Berow met with respondent, who maintained a solo practice concentrating in bankruptcy cases. At that meeting, respondent was retained to file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition. Ms. Berow signed a retainer agreement that called for a fee of $4,500, of which $1,000 and an additional filing fee of $274 was to be paid immediately and $3,500 was to be paid through the Plan from the Trustee. The next day, Ms. Berow paid respondent $1,274, [1] and a day later, on Friday, June 5, 2009, respondent filed a joint Chapter 13 petition on behalf of the Berows in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.