Opinion ID: 2604440
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: The Van Lom Matter

Text: Mrs. Frances Van Lom retained defendant's services on June 30, 1951, to press for a recovery of damages which she had sustained in an accident. He filed a complaint in her behalf on September 14, 1951, and prompt service was had on the defendants but no appearance by them or action on the part of Mr. Reinmiller until February 19, 1953, eighteen months thereafter, when it was discovered that Mrs. Van Lom's verification of the complaint had never been notarized. At that time, he filed an amended complaint which was answered by all defendants except one. The case was tried in October, 1953, at which time Mr. William Murray, an office associate of Mr. Reinmiller, at the instance of defendant, served as trial counsel. A favorable verdict was had for plaintiff. Mr. Reinmiller is charged with failure to answer letters of his client or explain the reasons for the delay prior to that time. In defense, Mr. Reinmiller claims that Mrs. Van Lom's complaint to the Bar Association was inspired by spite and her disappointment that the judgment was only for $3,500 instead of $5,000, which he claims she expected. He ventures to excuse the delays by reason of his absences from his office induced by distractions growing out of his family situation. We find that the delays from June 30, 1951, the date of the beginning of the client relationship, until February, 1953, are inexcusable and so, too, his failure to respond to client's telephone calls seeking information.