Opinion ID: 835146
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: RPC 1.16(d)

Text: RPC 1.16(d) requires a lawyer to take all reasonable steps to protect a client's interests and prevent prejudice to the client upon termination of representation. [13] The trial panel found that the accused violated that rule in connection with his handling of the Loucks child custody case on and around the date that his suspension began. In particular, the trial panel observed that the custody case was set for trial only a few days after the accused's suspension was to begin. On the first day of his suspension, the accused prepared and mailed both a motion to postpone and abate the case and a motion to withdraw as counsel for his client. The accused did not contact or otherwise communicate with his client about his status. Neither did the accused inform his client of the motions that he had mailed to the court only days before trial. Instead, the accused basically left his client to fend for himself in the matter. The day before trial, the client found out from opposing counsel that the accused was suspended; the accused's client then had to scramble to find alternative representation. Once the client found new counsel, the accused was slow to turn over his file to either his client or the new attorney. The accused does not challenge either the trial panel's findings or its conclusion that the accused violated RPC 1.16(d) in his handling of the Loucks case. Based on our review of the record and the trial panel's determination, we agree that the accused violated RPC 1.16(d). See In re Biggs, 318 Or. 281, 864 P.2d 1310 (1994) (lawyer abruptly left practice without notifying clients or finding other lawyers for his clients); In re Devers, 317 Or. 261, 855 P.2d 617 (1993) (lawyer failed to return client's file).