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Joveliano C. Trinidad (WSBA No. 27144, admitted 1997), of Seattle, has been suspended for one year by order of the Supreme Court approving a stipulation effective January 2, 2002. The discipline is based upon his closing his law office in late 2000 without taking steps to protect his clients’ interests.
Matter 1: Ms. S, who had been injured in an auto accident, retained Mr. Trinidad in October 1997 to represent her in a personal-injury case. In March 1998, Ms. S told Mr. Trinidad she had completed treatment and was ready to settle her claim. Mr. Trinidad worked on damage calculations, but did not complete the case. In June 1999, after several unanswered phone calls, Ms. S paid a surprise visit to Mr. Trinidad’s office; they discussed the approaching statute of limitations. In August 1999, Mr. Trinidad filed a lawsuit on the client’s behalf in King County Superior Court. In April 2000, the court dismissed the lawsuit because Mr. Trinidad did not attend a required status conference. The statute of limitations expired, and Mr. Trinidad did not inform the client that her lawsuit had been dismissed.
Matter 2: In summer 1999, Mr. Trinidad agreed to represent Mr. E, who was injured in an auto accident, in a personal-injury claim. In January 2000, Mr. Trinidad filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court. In August 2000, the court dismissed the suit because Mr. Trinidad failed to comply with the case scheduling order. By the time the case was dismissed, the statute of limitations had expired. In January 2001, the client learned that Mr. Trinidad’s office telephone was disconnected. The client also visited the courthouse and learned for the first time that his lawsuit had been dismissed.
Matter 3: Mr. Trinidad represented Ms. L in a personal-injury claim that was set for arbitration in September 1999. Mr. Trinidad failed to file the client’s pre-hearing statement and did not appear for the arbitration hearing. The arbitrator dismissed the case. By the time the case was dismissed, the statute of limitations had expired.
Mr. Trinidad’s conduct violated RPC 1.3, requiring lawyers to diligently represent their clients; RPC 1.4, requiring lawyers to keep clients informed of the status of their cases; and RPC 1.15, requiring lawyers to take steps, to the extent reasonably practicable, to protect clients’ interests when representation is terminated.
Linda Eide represented the Bar Association. Mr. Trinidad represented himself.
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