Opinion ID: 1807827
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: specification number two

Text: Specification number two charges Alker with misconduct in connection with his representation of Mr. Harold Hoffman. Hoffman's personal injury case was settled for $12,000 in December, 1982. Alker retained a forty percent contingency fee plus $1,000. The additional $1,000 is the basis of the misconduct charge. Mr. Hoffman requested that Alker use the $1,000 to settle a disputed chiropractic bill for $2,123. According to Alker, he put the money in an envelope and locked it in his desk drawer. Alker wrote two letters to the chiropractor, Dr. Michael Breen, dated November 9, 1982, [16] and September 1, 1983. Mr. Alker did not receive a response to the settlement proposals nor did a settlement take place. In December, 1983, Mr. Hoffman wrote to the Louisiana State Bar Association complaining about Alker's representation and failure to return the $1,000. After being contacted by the Committee, Alker sent a $1,000 cashier's check to Mr. Hoffman. The Commissioner regarded the money as an advance for litigation expenses, which was not required to be placed in an identifiable bank account, but the Committee concluded that Alker should have placed the money in a separate bank account and maintained a complete record. Retaining part of a client's settlement from one case to settle another is not equivalent to an advance for costs and expenses. Therefore, Alker was required to put the $1,000 in an identifiable bank account and maintain a complete accounting. Alker violated three disciplinary rules. [17]