Opinion ID: 1297972
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Family court order and lien for attorney's fees

Text: Respondent represented Linda Abbott Bennett for approximately four months in 1992. A temporary hearing was held before Judge Spruill. Judge Spruill requested that respondent prepare an order reflecting what he had decided at the hearing. A proposed order was sent to Judge Spruill for his signature. The proposed order was not sent to opposing counsel. The order was signed and afterwards opposing counsel moved for reconsideration on the ground the order contradicted what was decided at the hearing. Following a hearing on the motion, a new order was prepared and subsequently signed. Although there is no rule which requires respondent to send a proposed order to opposing counsel and the judge did not order respondent to do so, respondent was guilty of misconduct for preparing an order which misrepresented the judge's decisions. [4] Respondent also filed a lien for unpaid fees against Bennett's property 17 days after filing a motion to be relieved as her counsel and on the same day the order granting that motion was signed. Respondent filed the hen pursuant to S.C.Code Ann. § 20-3-145 (1985). [5] This section is inapplicable because there was no order awarding respondent attorney's fees. [6] Respondent also charged Bennett for filing the hen which she justifies by claiming her retainer agreement provides for costs in the collection of fees. When Bennett sold her house, the closing attorney offered to place the amount in dispute into escrow until the fee dispute was resolved, but respondent refused. The Fee Resolution Board ultimately resolved this dispute by decreasing respondent's bill. The Panel and Executive Committee found respondent acted improperly by filing this lien. We agree.