Opinion ID: 1198162
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Roger Felton Matter

Text: The respondent represented Roger Felton in a dissolution of marriage matter in 1982. The trial court entered permanent orders in November 1983 directing that the marital residence be sold and the proceeds divided evenly between the parties. The house was not sold despite repeated efforts, however. In May 1984, the respondent prepared a deed of trust agreement executed by Felton as settlor and the respondent as trustee, wherein Felton conveyed the real property to the respondent. The property was to be held in trust pursuant to the deed of trust agreement. At the same time, the respondent prepared a quitclaim deed wherein Felton conveyed the property to the respondent. The quitclaim deed which was subsequently recorded did not make any reference to the respondent's capacity as trustee. The respondent admitted that because the real estate records indicate that he personally held title to the property, as opposed to holding the title as trustee, he effectively commingled Felton's property with his own, contrary to DR 1-102(A)(6) (engaging in conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer's fitness to practice law); DR 6-101(A)(2) (handling a legal matter without adequate preparation); and Colo. RPC 1.15(a) (failing to segregate client property from the lawyer's own property).