Opinion
No. 04PDJ067.
November 29, 2004.
Attorney Regulation.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved the parties' Conditional Admission of Misconduct and suspended Respondent Charles F. Martillaro (Registration #30062) from the practice of law for a period of one year and one day, effective December 30, 2004. Six months and one day of the suspension is stayed, pending successful completion of a two-year period of probation. This proceeding arises out of Respondent's neglect of ten separate client matters while receiving treatment for drug addiction and while dealing with depression after treatment. Specifically, instead of finding adequate substitute counsel or withdrawing, Respondent simply did not take necessary action on cases, return phone calls, attend meetings, or properly handle files. Therefore, Respondent violated Colo. RPC 1.3 (neglect of an entrusted legal matter), 1.4(a) (failure to communicate with client), 1.15(b) (failure to provide an accounting upon request), 1.16 (failure to withdraw in a timely fashion). Respondent is currently on inactive disability status, and probation will begin after reinstatement upon proof that Respondent is no longer disabled. Conditions of probation include a practice monitor. Respondent was also ordered to pay costs incurred in conjunction with this proceeding.