STATEWIDE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

Rhea Langlois, Complainant vs. Walter Johnson, Respondent

DECISION

Pursuant to Practice Book §2-35, the undersigned, duly-appointed reviewing committee of the Statewide Grievance Committee, conducted a hearing at the Superior Court, 1061 Main Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut on May 9, 2001. The hearing addressed the record of the complaint filed on January 10, 2001, and the probable cause determination filed by the New Haven Judicial District Geographical Areas 7 & 8 Grievance Panel on March 22, 2001, finding that there existed probable cause that the Respondent violated Practice Book Section 2-32.

Notice of the hearing was mailed to the Complainant and to the Respondent on March 28, 2001. Both the Complainant and the Respondent appeared at the hearing before this reviewing committee. Both the Complainant and the Respondent waived the participation of Attorney Randy Cohen in this grievance complaint, Attorney Raymond Rubens and Mr. Michael Goodman decided this grievance complaint.

This reviewing committee finds the following facts by clear and convincing evidence:

The Respondent represented the Complainant in a real estate transaction. The Complainant filed this grievance complaint against the Respondent. The Respondent did not file an answer to this grievance complaint. At the hearing before this reviewing committee the Respondent testified that he did not have a reason for failing to respond to the grievance complaint.

This reviewing committee finds the following violation by clear and convincing evidence:

The Respondent’s failure to file a response to this grievance complaint without good cause constituted misconduct in violation of Practice Book Section 2-32. Accordingly, this reviewing committee reprimands the Respondent.

____________________________________
Attorney Raymond B. Rubens

____________________________________
Mr. Michael Goodman