Opinion ID: 2484983
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Count IThe Singleton Matter

Text: In early 2005, Lester Singleton hired respondent to represent him in divorce proceedings against his wife, who resided in California with the couple's children. Mr. Singleton paid respondent $650 in costs and attorney's fees. On February 10, 2005, respondent filed the petition for divorce in Jefferson Parish. Upon being served with the petition for divorce, Mr. Singleton's wife, through her Louisiana counsel, filed exceptions of prematurity and lack of jurisdiction. A hearing on the exceptions was scheduled for April 27, 2005. Respondent failed to file a pre-hearing brief and did not appear in court for the hearing. The judge granted the exception of prematurity and dismissed Mr. Singleton's petition for divorce. The judge also ordered Mr. Singleton to pay $1,500 in attorney's fees to his wife as sanctions for his failure to appear and failure to file a brief. In an effort to get the judgment for sanctions reversed, respondent filed a notice of intention to file for supervisory writs; however, he subsequently failed to file the writ application. During his August 21, 2008 sworn statement to the ODC, respondent indicated he advised Mr. Singleton that exceptions were filed and that a hearing was scheduled. He acknowledged that he should have attended the hearing and should have been more diligent in representing Mr. Singleton. He also indicated he told Mr. Singleton that he would pay the $1,500 fine himself if the judgment for sanctions was enforced.