Leonard J. Keyes III v. Richard L. Rhoda, Esq.

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Disposition: Award to Respondent

Issued by: Fee Arbitration Commission

Docket #: FAC#17-147

Dated: June 20, 2017

Bar Number: 000124

A hearing in the above matter was held on June 19, 2017, in Bangor, Maine before a duly authorized Fee Arbitration Panel of the Fee Arbitration Commission of the Board of Overseers of the Bar. This Panel was designated to hear the controversy existing between the above-named parties as set forth in the Petitioner's Petition. The members of this Panel were Chair Brett D. Baber, Esq.; F. Todd Lowell, Esq.; and public member Paul F. Bolin. The Petitioner failed to appear. The Respondent appeared and testified in support of his legal fees. Based upon the evidence introduced, the Panel finds as follows:

Measuring the findings with the factors set forth in Rules 1.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, the Panel finds that Mr. Rhoda has carried his burden to show that his fees and costs are reasonable. Therefore, Mr. Keyes owes Mr. Rhoda the sum of $5,346.46.1

In order to preserve the confidentiality of the written materials and the testimony submitted at the hearing, the findings of fact and conclusions are not set forth in the Award and Determination. This Award and Determination is accompanied, however, by a separate supplemental document which sets forth the findings of facts and conclusions of the Panel. By ruling of the Chair, the attached supplemental document shall not be considered part of the award, which is a public document. In accordance with Maine Bar Rule 7(h), the supplemental document shall be confidential and shall not be open to the public or disclosed to any person except as otherwise set forth in Maine Bar Rule 7(h).

The Award and Determination is in full settlement of all claims submitted to the Arbitration Panel.

The undersigned has subscribed to this award on June 26, 2017.

Brett D. Baber, Esq.
Chair, Panel 4
Fee Arbitration Commission

1Mr. Rhoda has demonstrated that the client has already received a credit for his initial retainer of $300.00.