Opinion ID: 2608685
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the severin matter

Text: Petitioner represented Tim Severin in dissolution proceedings. After dissolution was decreed, Severin retained petitioner to appeal certain aspects of the judgment, and forwarded to petitioner $1,000 as a legal fee. Thereafter petitioner failed to keep an appointment with Severin, failed to communicate with him, and failed to file notice of appeal. Severin informed petitioner that he intended to retain other counsel, and demanded petitioner return the $1,000 fee, surrender the case file and execute a substitution of attorney form. Severin was substituted in propria persona in place of petitioner and received the case file. However, petitioner refused to return any portion of the $1,000 fee, and Severin obtained a default judgment against petitioner for $1,000. A writ of execution was levied on petitioner's automobile and petitioner paid approximately $1,000 for a release.