Opinion ID: 1572084
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Count IThe Baham Matter

Text: In 2003, Debrina Baham hired respondent to handle her divorce. She paid $670 toward respondent's $750 fee. Before the divorce was complete, Ms. Baham hired another attorney. Instead of refunding any of her money, respondent informed Ms. Baham that he would provide legal assistance to her in the future free of charge. Approximately two years later, Ms. Baham requested that respondent help her with a breach of contract matter related to the sale of her vehicle. Before the matter was completed, a conflict arose between respondent and Ms. Baham, and respondent bowed out of the case. Ms. Baham claimed that she made numerous, unsuccessful attempts to contact respondent to find out why no work was done on her second legal matter. She also claimed that respondent failed to respond to her requests for a refund and the return of her file. In August 2006, the ODC sent respondent a letter requesting that he forward Ms. Baham's files. Respondent failed to respond to the request. In October 2006, the ODC issued a subpoena to take respondent's sworn statement. Despite being personally served with the subpoena, respondent failed to appear.