Opinion ID: 1992646
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Count III: Rita M. Monk

Text: 21. On October 21, 1993, Respondent filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition on behalf of her client, Rita M. Monk, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland in a matter styled In re Rita M. Monk, Case No. 93-1-5544-SD. 22. Hearings on this bankruptcy were held on November 12, 1993, and December 7, 1993. (BX 10, 11). Ms. Monk was present on November 13, 1993. Following that hearing, Ms. Monk was told by Respondent, or misunderstood Respondent to say, that she did not have to be present at the December 7, 1993, proceeding. 23. On December 6, 1993, the Trustee issued his report to the Court. The Trustee recommended that before confirmation of Ms. Monk's bankruptcy plan, six deficiencies needed to be corrected. All six deficiencies were relatively simple to correct. 24. On December 7, 1993, the Court ordered a continuance of the confirmation hearing until January 13, 1994, in light of the Trustee's recommendations. Ms. Monk was not present. 25. Respondent did not communicate with her client between November 12, 1993, and January 13, 1994, and failed to supplement Ms. Monk's plan as recommended by the Trustee. On January 13, 1994, Respondent, without the consent of her client, moved to dismiss Ms. Monk's petition. (Tr. I at 30-35, 42-43). [5] On January 24, 1994, the Court issued an order dismissing Ms. Monk's case. (BX 15, BX 16). 26. Ms. Monk, upset at the dismissal of her case and Respondent's request for additional fees to refile it, terminated Respondent and hired a new attorney, Gregory Johnson, Esq., to handle her bankruptcy. On February 3, 1994, Mr. Johnson filed a motion for reconsideration of the order dismissing Ms. Monk's case and submitted information and documents satisfying the six deficiencies that the Trustee recommended on December 6, 1993, be corrected. 27. On February 7, 1994, the Court set aside its previous Order dismissing Ms. Monk's case and subsequently confirmed her plan. 28. On February 9, 1994, a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Maryland, the Honorable Duncan Keir, referred Respondent to the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland based on her deficiencies in representing Ms. Monk. Judge Keir, after consulting with his fellow jurists, noted that [w]e are greatly concerned for her clients who are suffering from the lack of performance by Ms. Lyles, and for her welfare as well. (BX 8). Maryland Bar Counsel referred this letter to the District of Columbia's Office of Bar Counsel because Respondent was not admitted to practice in that jurisdiction.