Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel v. Miller, 335 Conn. 474 (2020)

Citation: Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel v. Miller, 335 Conn. 474 (2020)
Parent Document: Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel v. Miller, 335 Conn. 474 (2020)
Jurisdiction: Connecticut (state)
Effective Date: 2020-04-27
Original Source: https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/4801014/office-of-chief-disciplinary-co... ↗

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his reason for doing so: ‘‘I had explained to Ms. Williams
that although I have handled some appellate matters
previously in the past, it—it doesn’t make up a majority
of my practice, and I had indicated to her that I thought
because of Attorney Miller’s supreme knowledge with
respect to appellate matters and her expertise and skill
set, that she would be better suited at the very least to
assist us in filing the appeal.’’ [Tr. 2 6:21–27, Hardy].
He also told Williams that the respondent’s involvement
would not include going to court but would be primarily
behind the scenes by assisting with the preparation and
drafting of documents. In meeting with Williams, the
respondent understood the purpose for which Williams
had come to see her. ‘‘Well, I knew from Attorney Hardy
that he wanted me to take whatever steps were neces-
sary to try to resurrect this appeal that Ms.—you know,
had been rejected and that he had to refile.’’ [Tr. 3
46:9–12, Miller]. The respondent presented Williams
with a retainer agreement which was signed on October
1, 2016. [Tr. 3 47:2–4, Miller; Petitioner’s Ex. 9]. That
agreement provided in relevant part: ‘‘Jasmine Williams
. . . retains Attorney Miller to represent her with
respect to the following: A juvenile court termination
of parental rights appeal. This agreement contemplates
that Attorney Miller will provide legal services at the
appellate court level, specifically reviewing of the rele-
vant trial transcripts, documents, and orders, and draft-
ing of the appellate brief. Attorney James Hardy will
be responsible for oral argument of the case.’’ [Petition-
er’s Ex. 9]. Further, in her answer to the grievance com-
plaint that led to the current presentment, the respon-
dent acknowledged that ‘‘[Williams] signed a retainer
agreement at that time and paid an initial amount of
$2000 toward an estimated cost of $10,000 to fully pros-
ecute the appeal.’’ [Petitioner’s Ex. 8].
Even prior to the execution of the agreement, by
August or September of 2016, the respondent assisted
Page 58 CONNECTICUT LAW JOURNAL November 3, 2020

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