Opinion ID: 2185998
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Family law cases

Text: Monica Hutchinson hired Movant to represent her in a divorce. Before the case was completed, Movant was suspended from the practice of law. Rather than complying with his Order of Suspension and notifying his client of his inability to  represent her, Movant told Ms. Hutchinson that could represent her at a future time and would hold her case in abeyance. He also failed to return the unearned fee and her client file. Movant admits that these acts violated SCR 3.130-1.16(d) and 8.3(c). Lisa Mattingly hired Movant to file a petition for custody of her minor child. After the petition was filed, Movant refused to return Ms. Mattingly's telephone calls to update her on the status of the case. Movant failed to inform Ms. Mattingly that he had been suspended from the practice of law. Additionally, Movant refused to return any unearned fee. Movant admits that these acts violated SCR 3.130-1.16(d), 1.4(a) and (b), 3.4(c) and 8.3(b) and (c). Jacobo Polo hired Movant to defend him in a child abuse case brought by child protective services in Jefferson County. Three days after Movant was hired, he was suspended from the practice of law in Kentucky. Movant failed to notify Mr. Polo that he could no longer represent him and failed to return Mr. Polo's client file and unearned fee. Movant also made a false statement of material fact in his response to a Bar Complaint filed by Mr. Polo. Movant admits that these acts violated SCR 3.130-1.16(d), 3.4(c), 8.1(a) and 8.3(b) and (c). Movant represented Bruce Allen Gambrell, Sr. in a divorce proceeding. Movant accepted the agreed property settlement amount, $32,747.59, from Mr. Gambrell to pay his ex-spouse, Janet Lee Gambrell. Instead, Movant converted this money for his own use. He also violated a court order requiring him to produce a certified or cashier's check to the court by March 16, 2005. Movant admits that these acts violated SCR 3.130-8.3(b) and (c) and 3.4(c).