Opinion ID: 2604440
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Baker Matter

Text: The charge in this matter is that Mr. Reinmiller received in May, 1952, a sum of money in settlement of a personal injury action for his client Baker. Out of these funds the defendant was to pay Dr. J.B. Davis $225 for professional services rendered. Mr. Reinmiller held the money for fourteen months before paying the doctor but did so on July 31, 1953. The Bar makes no charge of wilful or intentional omission to pay Dr. Davis. It rests solely upon delay and inexcusable neglect. Meantime, the defendant failed to advise Dr. Davis or give attention to letters from the Bar Grievance Committee or from the Secretary of the Bar Association, written by Mr. Karr on October 24, 1952. Mr. Reinmiller defends by saying that the delays were unintentional and the result of continuing and current family misfortunes and distractions. He further claims that his office girl-bookkeeper was instructed to make such checks and failed to do so, and because of his absences from his office during the period covered by this charge he was unadvised about his office situation. He denies having received the letters sent by the Bar or having any recollection of them. For reasons that will later appear, we cannot exonerate him in terms of the excuses urged.