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R. Keith Partlow (WSBA No. 9538, admitted 1979), of Boston, MA, was suspended for 30 months, based on a suspension order from the Supreme Judicial Court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Washington Supreme Court’s order of reciprocal discipline was effective February 25, 2003. This discipline was based on his conduct during 1992 through 2000, involving lack of diligence and misrepresentation in seven client matters.
Matter 1: Mr. Partlow was retained in 1992 to represent a client in a third party worker’s compensation matter. Mr. Partlow filed his notice of appearance, but took no further action. The case was dismissed in June 1993 when no one appeared for the pre trial conference. Between 1993 and 1999, Mr. Partlow told the client the matter was still pending.
Matter 2: In 1993, Mr. Partlow represented a client in a personal injury matter. Mr. Partlow filed a lawsuit and a portion of the case settled in 1995 for policy limits. The remainder of the case was dismissed in 1995 due to Mr. Partlow failure to provide answers to the defendant’s interrogatories. Between 1995 and 2000, Mr. Partlow told the client the action was still pending.
Matter 3: Mr. Partlow agreed to represent a client in a medical malpractice matter. Mr. Partlow filed the complaint, but did not obtain an expert witness or prepare the required offer of proof. The court dismissed the client’s case in 1998. Between 1998 and 2000, Mr. Partlow told the client the case was still pending. He also failed to re-file the case.
Matter 4: Mr. Partlow agreed to represent a client in a personal injury matter. Mr. Partlow filed the complaint, but failed to respond to the defendant’s summary judgment motion. The court dismissed the case in 1998. During 1999 and 2000, Mr. Partlow misrepresented the status of the case.
Matter 5: Mr. Partlow represented a client in a personal injury matter. He filed the complaint, but failed to file a request for trial. The court dismissed the case in 1999. Mr. Partlow told the client the case was still pending.
Matter 6: Mr. Partlow represented a client in a third party worker’s compensation matter. Mr. Partlow filed the complaint, but failed to assure his client’s attendance at trial. The court dismissed the case when the client failed to appear. Mr. Partlow told the client the matter was still pending.
Matter 7: Mr. Partlow represented a couple in a third party worker’s compensation action. He filed the complaint, but failed to answer the defendant’s interrogatories. The court dismissed the case in 1998. Between 1998 and 2000, he told the client the case was still pending.
Mr. Partlow’s conduct violated Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.2.(a), requiring lawyers to abide by their clients decisions regarding the objectives of the representation; 1.3, requiring lawyers to diligently represent their clients; 1.4, requiring lawyers to keep clients reasonably informed of the status of their matters; 8.4(c), prohibiting conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; 8.4(d), prohibiting conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice; and 8.4(h), prohibiting any other conduct that adversely reflects on his or her fitness to practice law.
Felice Congalton represented the Bar Association. Mr. Partlow represented himself.
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