Opinion
No. 04PDJ003.
August 19, 2004.
Attorney Regulation.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved the parties' Conditional Admission of Misconduct and suspended Respondent Carl J. Ream, attorney registration number 19397, from the practice of law in the State of Colorado, effective September 19, 2004, for a period of one year, all stayed upon successful completion of a one year period of probation. A non-lawyer assistant for an immigration law center Respondent owned met directly with and entered into fee agreements with several clients, sometimes without informing Respondent. In some matters, client forms and pleadings were not filed with the INS as promised or the assistant filed incorrect or fraudulent documents, in addition to misappropriating client funds. In other cases, Respondent was aware of the representation and took funds from clients without delivering a benefit. Several clients terminated Respondent's representation and demanded refunds but did not receive one, or did not receive one immediately. Respondent's conduct violated Colo. RPC 5.3 (b) (responsibility to supervise non-lawyer associates to ensure conduct compatible with lawyer's professional obligations), 1.1 (competent representation), 1.3 (neglect of entrusted legal matters), 1.5 (b) (written communication of basis for fees at commencement of representation); and 1.15 (g) (2) (required accounting records). Respondent was ordered to pay costs in this proceeding and comply with other conditions.