Opinion ID: 1859378
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: H.K. Matter

Text: In June 1999, H.K. paid De Rycke $700 to defend him against a DWI charge. Although H.K. understood this to be a nonrefundable flat fee, De Rycke did not provide H.K. with a retainer agreement explaining the nature of the fee. De Rycke initially maintained contact with H.K., but failed to tell H.K. of a plea offer that would have resulted in no jail time until after the offer had expired. In June 2001, H.K. paid De Rycke $2,000 to hire an expert witness who De Rycke said would testify that H.K.'s blood test was inaccurate. No expert ever testified for H.K., and De Rycke failed to provide the Director with the requested documentation to prove that he actually hired an expert. De Rycke did not refund any of H.K.'s $2,000. While H.K.'s DWI matter was still pending, De Rycke was suspended from the practice of law for his repeated failure to comply with terms of probation. In re De Rycke ( De Rycke III ), 644 N.W.2d 797, 801 (Minn.2002). Rule 26, RLPR, requires that a suspended lawyer notify each client, opposing counsel    and the tribunal involved in pending litigation    of the lawyer's    suspension unless this court orders otherwise. This court's May 23, 2002, order did not notify De Rycke that he need not comply with Rule 26. See De Rycke III, 644 N.W.2d at 797-801. De Rycke did not inform H.K. of his suspension.