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Joveliano C. Trinidad (WSBA No. 27144, admitted 1997), of Seattle, received a censure on May 9, 2001, following a stipulation approved by the Disciplinary Board on April 13, 2001. This discipline is based on his failing to diligently represent two clients between 1998 and 2000.
Matter 1: In September 1999, Mr. Trinidad agreed to represent a client regarding an outstanding bench warrant. Although the client paid Mr. Trinidad $900, he did not start a file for the client. The client called Mr. Trinidad from October 1999 through January 2000, but never heard from him. On January 28, 2000, the client sent a certified letter to Mr. Trinidad requesting that his fee be refunded so he could retain another lawyer. Mr. Trinidad did not return the fee.
Matter 2: On February 12, 1998, Mr. Trinidad agreed to represent a client in a Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) claim. On February 24, Mr. Trinidad sent a letter to L&I asking that they re-open the client’s claim; however, he took no further action on the claim. Between September 1998 and March 1999, the client tried unsuccessfully to contact Mr. Trinidad.
On March 11, 1999, Mr. Trinidad met with the client, assuring her he would work on her case. Mr. Trinidad also told the client that he had received some papers from L&I that required a timely response. On January 6, 2000, the client called L&I and learned that her case had been closed because Mr. Trinidad had not turned in the necessary paperwork. In March 2000, the client picked up her filed from Mr. Trinidad’s office.
Mr. Trinidad’s conduct violated RPCs 1.3, requiring lawyers to diligently represent their clients; 1.4, requiring lawyers to keep clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters; 1.5(a), requiring lawyers’ fees to be reasonable; and 1.15, requiring lawyers to take reasonable steps to protect clients’ interests upon withdrawal.
Linda Eide represented the Bar Association. Mr. Trinidad represented himself.
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