Opinion ID: 2096988
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The D.H. Matter (Counts 11 through 13).

Text: ¶ 68 In July 2001 D.H. hired Attorney Nunnery to represent him in an employment discrimination claim against his employer, several supervisors and his union. The referee determined Attorney Nunnery's representation of D.H. gave rise to three counts: Count 11: Former SCR 20:1.4(a); Communication. Count 12: Former SCR 20:1.4(b); Communication. Count 13: Former SCR 20:1.16(d); Terminating representation. ¶ 69 Attorney Nunnery filed a complaint in federal court on behalf of D.H. and a co-worker, S.B., alleging race discrimination and retaliation contrary to 42 U.S.C. § 1981. The referee found that Attorney Nunnery did not review the complaint with D.H. or explain the claims he was pursuing on D.H.'s behalf. The referee also found that Attorney Nunnery did not inform his client of (1) a motion to dismiss filed by one of the supervisors; (2) Attorney Nunnery's failure to timely respond to the motion; (3) the court's decision denying the motion; and (4) that Attorney Nunnery missed the discovery deadline for taking depositions. The referee said although Attorney Nunnery was subsequently granted an extension, he took no action to notice depositions and did not inform D.H. that he did not intend to conduct further discovery. ¶ 70 In addition, the referee determined Attorney Nunnery did not inform D.H. of summary judgment motions filed by the union and non-union defendants. Although Attorney Nunnery filed a motion to strike the summary judgment motion filed by the non-union defendants, D.H. was not sent a copy. When a dismissal was granted on behalf of all defendants, other than sending D.H. a copy of the court's decision by mail, Attorney Nunnery did not discuss with D.H. the reasoning or ramifications of the dismissal. ¶ 71 Attorney Nunnery filed an appeal of the dismissal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. The referee found that when Attorney Nunnery and D.H. participated in a court-mandated settlement conference on appeal, Attorney Nunnery informed the mediator the union was not required to participate. Attorney Nunnery did not have D.H.'s permission to dismiss the union from settlement negotiations and did not discuss with D.H. whether to do so. When D.H. inquired why the union had not been involved, Attorney Nunnery replied that he could not sue the union. ¶ 72 The referee found that on June 25, 2003, five days before an appellate brief was due and without notice to D.H., Attorney Nunnery filed a motion to withdraw as D.H.'s counsel. Attorney Nunnery did not advise D.H. he was withdrawing. On the basis of these findings, the referee concluded Attorney Nunnery committed misconduct as charged in counts 11 through 13.