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Lois Wood (WSBA No. 17878, admitted 1988), of Massachusetts, has been suspended for fifteen months by order of the Supreme Court approving a stipulation, effective July 19, 2002. This discipline is based on her lack of diligence in representing a client in 2001.
Ms. Wood represented a client in post conviction proceedings. In July 2000, she filed a personal restraint petition, which the court denied. The client’s wife paid Ms. Wood $750 to prepare and file a motion for discretionary review. Ms. Wood negotiated the check, but did not file the motion. Ms. Wood told the wife that the court lost the motion. In January 2001, the client contacted a new lawyer, who obtained an electronic copy of the motion from Ms. Wood’s home computer. The new lawyer revised the motion and filed it with a request to extend filing deadline. The court denied the motion to extend time.
Ms. Wood’s conduct violated RPCs 1.3, requiring lawyers to diligently represent their cleients; 1.4, requiring lawyers to keep their clients informed of the status of their matters; 1.5, requiring lawyers fees to be reasonable; and 8.4(c), prohibiting lawyers from engaging in conduct involving dishonestly, deceit, fraud or misrepresenation.
Joanne Abelson represented the Bar Association. Ms. Wood represented herself.
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