Michael Alexei

DCCA Opinion (August 1, 2024)

Summary: In re Michael Alexei. Bar No. 999055. August 1, 2024. The D.C. Court of Appeals held that as a default matter, when an attorney agrees to perform legal services for a flat fee, the attorney does not earn any part of the fee and may not withdraw funds advanced by the client until the attorney has completed the agreed-upon services. Attorneys may deviate from the default rule by specifying in their fee agreement how portions of the fee are to be earned or by obtaining the client’s informed consent to treat advance payments as attorney property. Because the court has not previously announced this interpretation, it determined to apply its holding prospectively only. Accordingly, although Alexei withdrew most of an advance payment from trust without completing the contemplated services, the court declined to find that he violated Rule 1.15(a).

Board Report and Orders (June 30, 2023)

Summary: In re Michael Alexei. Bar No. 999055. June 30, 2023. The Board on Professional Responsibility dismissed the charges against Alexei.

Hearing Committee Report (March 7, 2023)

Summary: Not yet available.

Answer (July 6, 2020)

Specification of Charges (February 6, 2020)