Audley Earl Melhado

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Complainant retained attorney Earl Melhado in March 2004 to wind up a company and paid a $25,000 retainer (part of an agreed $95,000 fee). Despite numerous reminders over years, the attorney failed to commence action promptly, failed to establish service when the matter reached court, provided no meaningful information, and did not return the client's documents until 2008. The Panel (hearing proceeded in the attorney's absence) found the client received effectively no professional service and found breaches of Canons IV(r) and IV(s). No dishonesty was found. The attorney was ordered to make full restitution of $25,000, pay a fine of $50,000 (half to the complainant as compensation), and pay $10,000 costs.

Duties found breached:

• Act in the client's best interests
• No conflict between current clients