Opinion
No. 99PDJ088.
January 7, 2000.
Attorney Regulation. The Presiding Disciplinary Judge accepted the parties' Conditional Admission of Misconduct and suspended respondent, Juliette Alane House, from the practice of law for a period of one year and one day, with all but 90 days of the period of suspension stayed on the condition that the respondent be placed on probation for two years commencing upon the completion of the 90 day suspension and subject to certain conditions. Respondent failed to file a summons and petition for dissolution of marriage with the court on behalf of her clients, and, although believing that the documents had been filed, failed to take steps to verify that they had been filed, and failed to communicate with her clients. Respondent effectively terminated representation of her clients by failing to take further action on the case, failed to take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect the clients' interests, failed to refund $ 131.00 paid to her in advance for costs, failed to maintain this amount in a separate trust account, and negligently converted this amount. Upon moving her office, respondent failed to update her address with the Office of Attorney Registration. The Respondent's conduct violated Colo. RPC 1.3, Colo. RPC 1.16(d), Colo. RPC 8.4(c) and C.R.C.P. 227(2)(b).