MEMBERS WIlliAM J. DANHOF
CHAIRPERSON THOMAS G. KIENBAUM
VICE-CHAIRPERSON WIlliAM l. MATIHEWS, CPA
SECRETARY BILLY BEN BAUMANN, M.D. ANDREA l. SOLAK ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. CARL E. VER BEEK CRAIG H. LUBBEN JAMES M. CAMERON, JR.
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 oETROITAMICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHuNE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571 WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITIONS Case Nos. 08-46-JC; 08-47-GA Notice Issued: April 21, 2009
Jeffrey S. Newton, P 41537, Birmingham, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board, increasing Tri-County Hearing Panel #66's order of discipline from a 30 day suspension to a 180 day suspension.
1. Suspension - 180 Days 2. Effective March 3, 2009 The hearing panel found that respondent failed to notify the Grievance Administrator and the Attorney Discipline Board of his conviction, and failed to provide the Bar with information concerning convictions in any jurisdiction, as required by Administrative Order No. 2003-5. Additionally, in a separate client matter, the panel found that respondent failed to maintain reasonable communications with his client; neglected the client's legal matter; failed to act with diligence; failed to release the client file as requested by the client; failed to return any unearned
fees upon discharge; and failed to cooperate with respect to a request for investigation that was served upon him by the Grievance Administrator.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(A)(2) and (3); MCR 9.120(A) and (B)(3); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (c); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.16(d); 8.1(a)(2); and 8.4(b).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 30 days and that he pay restitution in the amount of $1,000.00. The panel also ordered that respondent shall be subject to certain conditions relevant to the established misconduct.
Respondent filed a timely petition for review and requested a stay of discipline, which was granted. The Grievance Administrator filed a cross-petition for review 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 January 7, 2009, and extended his stay of discipline to March 2, 2009.
On March 20, 2009, the Board issued an order increasing discipline from a 30 day suspension to a 180 day suspension and modifying the conditions ordered by the hearing panel.
Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,702.38.
Dated:
APR212009 --------