MEMBERS WILLIAM J. DANHOF CHAIRPERSON THOMAS G. KIENBAUM VICE·CHAIRPERSON ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. SECRETARY WILLIAM L. MATTHEWS ANDREA L. SOLAK CARL E. VER BEEK CRAIG H. LUBBEN JAMES M. CAMERON, JR. SYLVIA P. WHITMER, Ph.D
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
JOHN F. VAN BOLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARK A. ARMITAGE DEPUTY DIRECTOR
JENNIFER M. PETTY LEGAL ASSISTANT
211 WEST FORT ST. SUITE 1410 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571
WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 10-76-GA Notice Issued: December 14,2010 Paul J_ Rinaldi, P 41593, West Bloomfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #61_
1. Suspension - Three Years 2. Effective November 30,2010 Although respondent filed an answer to the formal complaint, he did not appear at the public hearing. The hearing panel found that respondent neglected legal matters entrusted to him; failed to seek his clients' lawful objective; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing his clients; failed to keep a client reasonably informed of the status of the matter and failed to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information; charged and collected a clearly excessive fee; failed to return unearned fees; shared legal fees with a nonlawyer; knowingly made false statement fo material fact to a tribunal; knowingly disobeyed obligations under the rules of a tribunal; knowingly failed to respond to lawful demands for information from the Grievance Administrator; failed to answer two requests for investigation; and failed to timely answer two additional requests for investigation.
Respondent's conduct was in violation of MCR 9.104(A)(1 )-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.5(a); 1.16(d); 3.3(a)(1); 3.4(c); 8.1(a)(2); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered the respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for three years and pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $8,625.00_ Respondent filed an emergency motion for stay of discipline which was denied by the Board on December 10, 2010. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $2,064.26.
Dated:. ___________