| Case Digest |
In 1997, Respondent was retained to represent a client in an uncontested divorce for a fee of $190. Even though Respondent had never before represented the client, he failed to communicate the basis of his fee in writing within a reasonable time after commencing the representation.
In 1997, Respondent filed the complaint in divorce. In March 2000, Respondent told his client that he needed an additional $160 to complete the divorce because her husband was contesting the divorce.
From March 2000 until August 2001, Respondent’s client attempted to contact Respondent regarding her case to no avail. In August 2001, Respondent’s client advised him that her husband was no longer contesting the divorce. Between August 2001 and October 2002, Respondent again had no contact with his client despite attempts by the client to find out the status of the case. In October 2002, one of Respondent’s staff admitted to the client that her legal file had been lost or misplaced. After Office of Disciplinary Counsel involvement, Respondent immediately finalized the divorce in December 2002. |
