Abandoned

A suspension of a year and a day has been imposed by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

The petition for discipline to which the respondent never replied, and bar counsel’s brief on disposition, reflect that the respondent undertook to represent a divorce client in March 2020, received a $2,500 cash retainer, filed a notice of appearance, and disappeared. She did not respond to the client’s messages, and abandoned her law office in July 2021. She has not responded to the client’s request for a refund. She was administratively suspended on March 22, 2022 for failure to register with the Board. The respondent’s misconduct violated Rules 1.2(a) (seek lawful objectives of client), 1.3 (act with reasonable diligence and promptness), 1.4(a) (consult with client about means of achieving objectives), 1.16(d) (upon termination of representation, refund any advance fee not earned), 8.1(b) (do not fail to respond to a lawful demand for information from disciplinary authority), 8.4(g) (do not fail without good cause to cooperate with bar counsel), and S.J.C. Rule 4:01, § 3 (enumerating grounds for lawyer discipline). Upon petition of bar counsel, a Commissioner was appointed on January 13, 2023; the respondent’s IOLTA account contained client funds exceeding $5,000.

(Mike Frisch)