Olekanma Ekekwe-Kauffman

DCCA Opinion (June 27, 2019)

Summary: The D.C. Court of Appeals suspended Ekekwe-Kauffman for three years with fitness. While retained to represent a client in a dispute with the University of the District of Columbia, Ekekwe-Kauffman failed to provide competent representation; failed to represent the client with skill and care commensurate with that generally afforded by other lawyers; failed to represent the client with diligence and zeal; failed to seek the client’s lawful objectives; intentionally prejudiced the client’s case and failed to communicate adequately with the client; charged an unreasonable fee; failed to hold unearned advanced fees in trust; failed to return unearned legal fees; and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, and misrepresentation (when Ekekwe-Kauffman fabricated an invoice that she used as evidence in proceedings before the Attorney/Client Arbitration Board, the Superior Court, and the Hearing Committee and testified falsely before the Hearing Committee). Rules 1.1(a), 1.1(b), 1.3(a), 1.3(b)(1), 1.3(b)(2), 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 1.5(a), 1.15(a), 1.15(e), 1.16(d), and 8.4(c).

DCCA Order (January 3, 2018)

Summary: Ekekwe-Kauffman was suspended on an interim basis pursuant to D.C. Bar R. XI, § 9(g), pending final action on the Board on Professional Responsibility’s July 27, 2017, recommendation of disbarment.

Board Report and Orders (July 27, 2017)

Summary: The Board on Professional Responsibility recommends that the D.C. Court of Appeals disbar Ekekwe-Kauffman. While retained to represent a client in a dispute with the University of the District of Columbia, Ekekwe-Kauffman mishandled the client’s civil matter; engaged in reckless misappropriation (when she used the client’s funds as her own even though her own records showed that she had not earned them); engaged in dishonesty, fraud, and misrepresentation (when she fabricated an invoice that she used as evidence in proceedings before the Attorney-Client Arbitration Board, the Superior Court, and the Hearing Committee); and testified falsely before the Hearing Committee. Rules 1.1(a), 1.1(b), 1.3(a), 1.3(b)(1), 1.3(b)(2), 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 1.5(a), 1.15(a), 1.15(e), 1.16(d), and 8.4(c).

Hearing Committee Report (December 8, 2016)

Summary: Not yet available.