MEMBERS WILLIAM J. DANHOF
CHAIRPERSON THOMAS G. KIENBAUM
VICE·CHAlRPERSON WILLIAM l. MATTHEWS, CPA SECRETAAY ANDREA l. SOLAK ROSAliND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. 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 WESTFORT ST. SUITE 1410 DETROIT.. .. MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHvNE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571 WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 09-11-GA Notice Issued: June 22, 2010
Jeffrey S. Newton, P 41537, Birmingham, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #79.
1. Suspension - One Year 2. Effective March 3, 20091 Respondent failed to appear at one hearing and was found to be in default for failing to file an answer to the formal complaint. Based on that default, the hearing panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter; failed to seek his client's lawful objectives; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness; failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of the matter and failed to explain the matter to his client; failed to refund an advanced fee that was not earned; and failed to answer a request for investigation served upon him by the Grievance Administrator.
Respondent's conduct was in violation of MCR 9.1 04(A)(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.16(d); and 8.4(a).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for one year, to run concurrently with the one year suspension ordered in Grievance Administrator v Jeffrey S. Newton, Case No. 08-46-JC; 08-47-GA, which commenced on March 3,
2009. The panel also ordered that respondent pay restitution in the amount of $2,000.00.
Respondent filed a timely petition for review and requested a stay of discipline, which was granted and the matter was scheduled for hearing before the Attorney Discipline Board. However, respondent failed to file a brief in support of his petition for review and the Board dismissed his petition on March 19, 2010. Respondent filed a motion to reinstate the petition, but his motion was denied by the Board on May 10, 2010. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $2,638.82.
Dated: JUN 22 2010
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since March 3, 2009. Please see Notice of Suspension and Restitution With Conditions issued April 21, 2009.