► Attorney Patrick Angel of Portland, OR; crook Print
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Attorney Patrick Angel of Portland, OR; crook 

The state of Oregon provided Patrick Angel with a law license in 2003.
 
The Oregon State Bar found Patrick guilty of the following misconduct:
  1. Failed to deposit client funds in client trust account as required
  2. Collected a clearly excessive fee (crook)
  3. Failed to provide requested accounting to client
  4. Failed to take reasonable steps to protect client’s interest upon withdrawal
  5. Failed to promptly refund an unearned fee to client
Patrick was hired by Alan Westhaver to represent him in a legal action. Alan and Patrick signed a Contingent Fee Agreement that contained separate sections for “Costs and Expenses” and “Attorney Fees.”
 
Alan deposited an initial $1,000 retainer with the understanding that any funds remaining would be refunded, less any necessary costs/expenses paid by Patrick. Under “Attorney Fees” the agreement called for Alan to pay a percentage of any recovery to Patrick and that if no recover was made that Alan would not be liable for any attorney fees but only for actual expenses incurred by Patrick.
 
After working on Alan’s case for 16 months, Patrick told Alan he had accepted a new job and would be required to withdraw from his case. Alan then asked Patrick to account to him for the costs and expenses he had incurred and to refund any unused portion of the $1,000 retainer. Patrick responded by stating there were no remaining funds. Patrick refused to provide Alan with an accounting of the alleged expenses he had incurred and paid.
 
As a consequence of his misconduct, the apologists for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Oregon Supreme Court punished Patrick by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.
 
As we speak (ca. November 2012) Patrick practices with Angel Law PC at 621 SW Morrison Street in Port land, Oregon.