Most people are a little puzzled as to why anyone would want to get into a primary contest with State Rep. Dora Olivo (D-Missouri City). Olivo is a reliable vote for Democrats and no “Craddick D” by any means.
However, word on the street is that activists in her district are unhappy with Olivo’s votes on stem cell research and abortion issues. Olivo is Catholic and, like many Catholic Democrats in the Texas Legislature, the only time she doesn’t vote with the party is on these two issues, which is perfectly understandable.
So, Ron Reynolds, an attorney, has been encouraged to run against Olivo in the primary. On his Website, Reynolds claims he is the, “Responsive” and “Reliable” candidate for Texas House. A nice campaign slogan to be sure. The problem? Reynolds is evidently anything but “responsive” and “reliable” according to his record with the State Bar of Texas.
According to the State Bar of Texas, Reynolds has been suspended (via partially probated suspensions) from the practice of law twice and remains on probation until June of 2009.
In one instance, Reynolds settled a personal injury case without his client’s knowledge:
On Nov. 22, 2005, Ronald E. Reynolds, 31, of Houston, accepted a six-month, partially probated suspension effective March 31, 2006, upon completion of his current active suspension, with the first three months actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 4-D Grievance Committee found that Reynolds was retained to represent his client in a personal injury case. In January 2004, Reynolds settled the case without his client’s knowledge or consent. Reynolds then received settlement proceeds from the insurer without notifying his client, negotiated the settlement check without distributing the funds to his client, and misrepresented to his client that he was still working on the case after he had successfully negotiated the settlement check. Reynolds violated Rules 1.01(b)(2), 1.03(a) and (b), 1.14(a) and (b), and 8.04(a)(3). He agreed to pay $350 in attorney’s fees.
In another instance, Reynolds neglected matters for three clients:
On Feb. 9, Ronald E. Reynolds [#24025610], 31, of Katy accepted a four-year, partially probated suspension effective April 1, 2005, with the first 364 days actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 4-F Grievance Committee found Reynolds was retained in three separate matters and neglected each legal matter entrusted to him. He failed to carry out completely the obligations owed his clients, keep them reasonably informed about the status of their cases, or promptly comply with their reasonable requests for information. Reynolds violated Rules 1.01(b)(1)
and (b)(2) and 1.03(a). He was ordered to pay $3,000 in attorney’s fees.
As you can see, the Olivo/Reynolds battle will be a bloody one. Reynolds clearly has some baggage.
January 23, 2008 at 11:54 am
away with a good impression of him, and I think he’d do a fine job if elected. Hal did a series of posts with video embeds that show Reynolds speaking to Democrats in Fort Bend, where HD27 is: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 I should also note thatVinceraised a question about Reynolds concerning some disciplinary action taken against him by the Bar Association; I asked him about that in our conversation. My interview with Ron Reynolds is here. As I said, I hope to interview Rep. Olivo as well.
January 6, 2008 at 7:05 pm
according to a postat Capitol Annex. So, Ron Reynolds, an attorney, has been encouraged to run against Olivo in the primary. On his Website, Reynolds claims he is the, “Responsive” and “Reliable” candidate for Texas House. A nice campaign slogan to be sure. The
January 6, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Only had to pay attorney’s fees? Barely a slap on the wrist for that type of behavior.
January 7, 2008 at 12:14 am
The suspension is actually the “meat” of the disciplinary action. Also, I believe that his punishment was mitigated because he was also being sued by his clients in civil court in some of thse cases.