MEMBERS JAMES M. CAMERON, JR. CHAIRPERSON CRAIG H. LUBBEN VICE-CHAIRPERSON SYLVIA P. WHITMER, Ph.D.
SECRETARY ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D.
CARL E. VER BEEK LAWRENCE G. CAMPBELL
DULCE M. FULLER LOUANN VAN DER WIELE MICHAEL MURRAY
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
211 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1410 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
JENNIFER M. PETTY PARALEGAL
KATHLEEN PHILLIPS CASE MANAGER
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS Case No. 13-142-GA Notice Issued: July 9,2014 Nathan S. French, P 55531, Southfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #76.
1. Suspension - 3 Years 2. Effective July 9,20141 The panel issued an order of interim suspension of respondent's license, effective April 28, 2014, based on his failure to appear at a hearing scheduled for April 14, 2014. Respondent was also found to be in default for his failure to file an answer to the formal complaint.
Based on respondent's default, the hearing panel found that respondent, while suspended from the practice of law in Michigan, failed to notify all active clients in writing by certified or registered mail of his suspension, in violation of MCR 9.119(A); failed to file a notice of disqualification in a" tribunals in which he was representing clients in litigation, in violation of MCR 9.119(B); failed to file proof of compliance with the requirements of MCR 9.119 with the Grievance Administrator and the Attorney Discipline Board, in violation of MCR 9.119(C); practiced law or held himself out as an attorney during the period of suspension, in violation of MCR 9.11 9(E); failed to safeguard client funds, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); failed to promptly payor deliver funds that a third person is entitled to receive, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(3); failed to promptly render a full accounting of property a third person is entitled to receive upon request by the third person, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(3); failed to hold disputed property separate until the dispute is resolved, in violation of MRPC 1 .15(d); knowingly disobeyed an obligation under the rules of a tribunal except for an open refusal based on an assertion that no valid obligation exists, in violation of MRPC 3.4(C); and failed to answer two requests for investigation served upon him by the Grievance Administrator, in violation of MCR 9.104(7), MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2), and MRPC 8. 1 (a)(2). The panel also found that respondent violated MRPC 8.4(a) and (c) and MCR 9.104(1 )-(4).
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since April 28, 2014. Please see Notice of Interim Suspension Pursuant to MCR 9.115(H) issued April 28,2014.
July 9,2014
STATE OF MICHIGAN. ArrORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
Page 2
The panel suspended respondent's license to practice in Michigan for three years and ordered that he be subject to conditions relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,331.10.
~~LJ~, Mark A. Armitage L/'
JUL - 9 2314 Dated: ________