In Re Grievance Proceeding

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION

UNDERHILL, District Judge.

The Respondent was referred to the Grievance Committee of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut by a judge of this Court. The referral concerned Respondent’s use of a written fee agreement (the “Agreement”), dated November 20,1996, in which the client: (1) delegated to Respondent complete discretion “with respect to any settlement offers;” (2) authorized counsel to reject settlement offers in counsel’s sole discretion, “for any reason whatsoever;” and (3) waived any requirement that Respondent “communicate such…