Opinion ID: 1324514
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: a. Longwood Matter

Text: On February 20, 1998, Pamela Longwood and Beverly Sumter retained an associate with Respondent's firm to represent them regarding an automobile accident that had occurred just days prior. Longwood and Sumter, who are cousins, informed the associate that they were involved in an accident with James Usher and that Sumter was the driver and Longwood was her passenger. Subsequently, the associate left Respondent's firm, and Respondent assumed representation in May 1999. In July 1999, Usher filed suit against Sumter, the at-fault driver. As a result of this suit, Respondent learned of a potential conflict of interest between Sumter and Longwood and terminated his representation of Sumter. In April 2001, two months after the expiration of the statute of limitations, Respondent filed suit against Usher and Sumter, despite Longwood's continued instructions not to file suit against her cousin. [1] The case was dismissed as time-barred.