The Bed Bugs Bit

The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board has ordered the revocation of an attorney’s license.

The attorney had entered into a contingency agreement to sue for damages against a rental company who had rented the clients a Virginia Beach vacation home.

The home was allegedly infested with bed bugs. The claim was that several family members were bitten. 

Respondent was retained after the clients efforts to secure a refund had failed. He filed a $5 million claim against the property owner and rental company in Richmond Circuit Court.

He failed to appear for a hearing and the case was dismissed.

The client learned of the dismissal via the court’s web site. Respondent filed a notice of appeal with the Circuit Court but not with the Virginia Supreme Court.

When the client filed a bar complaint, he offered no reason for the failure to appear, did not respond to a subpoena and told the Bat he was closing down his practice

“I’m done”

(Mike Frisch)