And A Happy Effing New Year

An Arizona Hearing Panel has disbarred an attorney who defaulted on allegations that he had settled a personal injury case without authority and forged the client’s name on the check

Respondent failed to communicate with Mr. Dominguez during the pendency of the case. Mr. Dominguez eventually became frustrated and consulted with a new attorney, who discovered that Respondent had already settled Mr. Dominguez’s case and cashed the settlement check without telling Mr. Dominguez.

Chronology

On April 20, 2021, Farmers issued a check for $1,135.00 payable to Mr. Dominguez and Respondent.

On May 10, 2021, Respondent negotiated the check after forging Mr. Dominguez’s signature on it.

Respondent did not notify Mr. Dominguez of the existence of the settlement check.

After Mr. Dominguez filed the subject bar charge, Respondent contacted him and offered a cashier’s check for $1,100 in an attempt to resolve the matter.

When Mr. Dominguez complained about everything he had been put through as a result of Respondent’s conduct, Respondent provided him with a $1,300 payment and said, “Merry fucking Christmas.”

(Mike Frisch)