| Description: |
Randal B. Brown (WSBA No. 24181, admitted 1994), of Covington, was ordered to receive two reprimands, effective June 23, 2009, following approval of a stipulation by the Disciplinary Board. This discipline is based on conduct while representing two separate clients involving failure to communicate with clients.
Client A: In June 2007, Client A hired Mr. Brown to pursue an administrative proceeding to challenge his special-needs child’s individual educational plan. Mr. Brown assured Client A that he would attend an August 2007 meeting with school officials to discuss an educational plan for the child’s senior year, but failed to appear at the meeting. Mr. Brown then assured Client A that he would file an administrative complaint, but failed to do so. Thereafter, Mr. Brown did not timely respond to Client A’s attempts to contact him about the status of the matter.
Effective December 1, 2007, Mr. Brown closed his private practice and commenced working for a public agency. In February 2008, because his child’s senior year was nearly over and Client A was dissatisfied with Mr. Brown’s representation, Client A requested that Mr. Brown refund the legal fees that Client A had paid him. Mr. Brown did not respond to any of Client A’s requests for a refund.
Client B: In April 2007, Client B hired Mr. Brown to obtain full custody of his child. In September 2007, the court entered a final order with regard to the parenting plan and child support. Thereafter, Mr. Brown considered his representation over, but did not inform his client of that or file a formal notice of withdrawal. After closing his private practice and commencing work for a public agency on December 1, 2007, Client B informed Mr. Brown that the court had set a child support review hearing for December 2007. Mr. Brown told Client B that he had a new job, but did not inform Client B that he could no longer continue to represent him or appear for him at the December 2007 hearing. Mr. Brown did not appear at the December 2007 hearing and did not respond to Client B’s subsequent requests for an explanation.
Mr. Brown’s conduct violated RPC 1.4(a)(3), requiring a lawyer to keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter; and RPC 1.4(a)(4), requiring a lawyer to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information.
Leslie C. Allen represented the Bar Association. Mr. Brown represented himself. |