01/30/2013

Cheyenne Attorney Receives Public Censure

CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Supreme Court today issued an Order of Public Censure for Cheyenne lawyer, Ronald G. Pretty.

Pretty accepted a $2,500 retainer to represent a client in a matter. Pretty failed to perform work on the case and failed to return the client's telephone calls. The client terminated Pretty's representation and submitted a complaint to Bar Counsel. In response to Bar Counsel's inquiry, Pretty returned the $2,500 retainer but failed to respond to Bar Counsel's proposal that Pretty agree to a public censure. Even after formal disciplinary charges were brought against Pretty, Pretty continued to send the client a bill for a "balance due" in the amount of $425.00.

At a hearing before the Board of Professional Responsibility, Pretty consented to a public censure for violation of Rules 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence) and 1.4 (communications with client) of the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct. The BPR recommended to the Wyoming Supreme Court that Pretty receive a public censure.

The Supreme Court approved the BPR's recommendation for a public censure and ordered Pretty to pay an administrative fee and costs to the Wyoming State Bar in the total amount of $2,357.89.