Washington Lawyer - May/June 2024 - 47

grievance because he thought he was being
unfairly maligned, " Hadfield says.
Recognizing that most volunteers at the clinic
take on matters that are outside of their typical
area of expertise, the Pro Bono Center makes
expert mentors available for support. Hadfield,
who did not have experience in civil litigation,
took Mr. A's draft response to her clinic mentor,
Adrian Gottshall, director of pro bono representation
and training at the Pro Bono Center, for
review.
Gottshall noticed that the complaint neither
listed any claims that Mr. A committed nor
asked for specific compensation. Gottshall advised
Hadfield to draft a motion to dismiss.
Despite the flimsiness of the woman's complaint,
Gottshall says Mr. A still had to respond
or risk a default. " A default oftentimes is an automatic
loss. That default then can turn into
a default judgment, and the plaintiff can even
use that judgment to put liens on property and
collect wages. So, it's very important that when
a defendant is put on notice that they've been
sued, they respond, " Gottshall says.
Although Hadfield has experience working for
the federal government and also volunteering
with the Maryland Legal Aid and LCE, she had
never drafted a motion to dismiss before. Gottshall
provided the guidance needed to draft
Mr. A's response.
" Motions to dismiss are usually [drafted] over
the course of several days, " Hadfield says. " We
had until the end of the day [to respond]. "
Although volunteers typically meet with more
than one client for shorter consultations during
their shifts, this was an unusual situation. " I
started working with Mr. A around 11 in the
morning that day. I didn't leave the clinic until
after 4 p.m. because I knew that the motion to
dismiss had to be completely written and ready
for him to file it before he walked out that
door, " recalls Hadfield.
On September 11, 2023, D.C. Superior Court
granted Mr. A's motion to dismiss. " I'm glad that
she got me out of this mess, " Mr. A says, hailing
Hadfield a " brilliant woman. "
The case continues for the other defendants,
however. " This is going to be a lengthy case.
And all these other defendants, who are unrepresented
or don't have the benefit of pro bono
services, are unfortunately still very involved
with the case, " Gottshall says.
Hadfield continues to volunteer at the Advice
& Referral Clinic, a service to the community
that she finds " really gratifying. "
" You can make a real difference in someone's
life and do it relatively quickly, " she says. " Sometimes
it's hard because, a lot of times, you have
to tell clients things that they do not want to
hear - that they do not have a case, that the
statute of limitations has run out, that the court
will not grant something they want. I think, at
that point, it's about allowing that person to be
heard, " Hadfield says.
*Client's real name withheld to preserve
confidentiality.
**Federal government employees volunteer in
their personal capacity.
Reach D.C. Bar staff writer John Murph at
jmurph@dcbar.org.
The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center is supported by
voluntary contributions, not D.C. Bar license
fees. Learn more at dcbar.org/pro-bono.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARIES
continued from page 45
tration of justice), as well as Maryland
Attorney Rules of Professional Conduct
19-301.1 (competence), 19-301.3 (diligence
and promptness), and 19-308.4(d) (conduct
prejudicial to the administration of justice).
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel compiled the
foregoing summaries of disciplinary actions.
Informal Admonitions issued by Disciplinary
Counsel and Reports and Recommendations
issued by the Board on Professional Responsibility
are posted at www.dcattorneydiscipline.
org. Most board recommendations as to discipline
are not final until considered by the court.
Court opinions are printed in the Atlantic
Reporter and also are available online for
decisions issued since August 1998. To obtain
a copy of a recent slip opinion, visit www.
dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/opinionsmemorandum-of-judgments.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
https://osioffices.com
(202) 600-7777
manager@osioffices.com
MAY/JUNE 2024 * WASHINGTON LAWYER 47
OSI
S ER VIN G L A WYERS
S IN CE 1981
D.C.'s Most Complete Attorney
Service Support System
Incredible flexibility -- plans
from $35/mo through full time
officing, with mail, phone, office,
email, other options.
'Digital mail' -- same day notification
of items received, and
scanned copies if desired
The most developed customer
portal around -- reserve offices,
make payments, review call records,
list qualifications, online
Over 400 potential attorney
collaborators
Highly presentable facilities
Evening and weekend use
The orginal attorney officing
system.
Constant contact system; incl
notice of any client appearance
Plus three full time office suites
at Farragut Square.
Ask about our Attorney Starting
Package, starting at $49.50/mo.
COVID-19 protocols followed.
1629 K St. Suite 300
N.W. Washington D.C. 20006
http://www.dcbar.org/pro-bono http://www.dcattorneydiscipline.org http://www.dcattorneydiscipline.org http://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/opinions-memorandum-of-judgments http://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/opinions-memorandum-of-judgments https://www.osioffices.com
Washington Lawyer - May/June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Washington Lawyer - May/June 2024
