Opinion ID: 1189051
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: dillon

Text: Upon our independent review of the evidence, we find the facts to be as follows: In July 1982, Dillon employed the accused to represent Dillon on a workers' compensation claim and on a child custody matter. In order to pay lawyer fees to the accused, Dillon transferred the title and possession of his 1955 Dodge flatbed truck to the accused in return for a credit of $1,000 toward lawyer fees. Thereafter, the accused's secretary made out two receipts for the $1,000, allocating $350 to the custody case and $650 to the workers' compensation case. Subsequently, Dillon requested that the accused represent him in a juvenile court matter relating to the same child involved in the custody matter. Initially, the accused denied that he ever agreed to represent Dillon in the juvenile court matter. Dillon swore to the contrary. Without notifying Dillon, the accused failed to appear at the scheduled hearing before the juvenile court. As a result of the accused's failure to attend the juvenile Court hearing, he was discharged by Dillon. Approximately two weeks later, Dillon's new lawyer wrote to the accused and demanded the transfer of Dillon's files, the return of Dillon's $1,000 and an itemization of fees charged if the accused was claiming any part of the $1,000. In response to that letter, the accused wrote to the new lawyer and informed him that he was claiming a lien on the requested files for $325 in fees claimed to be owed by Dillon. Shortly thereafter, the accused informed the new lawyer that he had possession of a truck belonging to Dillon and he was charging Dillon $2.50 per day storage.