MEMBERS WILLIAM J. DANHOF
CHAIRPERSON THOMAS G. KIENBAUM VICE-CHAIRPERSON WILLIAM L. MATTHEWS, 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 DETROIT MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PH6 NE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571 WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITIONS (Pending Appeal)
Case Nos. 08-46-JC; 08-47-GA Notice Issued: March 3, 2009
Jeffrey S. Newton, P 41537, Birmingham, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #66.
1. Suspension - 30 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 violated Administrative Order No. 2003-5 which requires members of the State Barto provide the Barwith information concerning convictions in any jurisdiction after the date upon which the member received a license to practice law. 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 MeR 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.
This matter has been scheduled for hearing before the Board on March 11, 2009, on the Grievance Administrator's cross-petition for review.
John Dated:
.
MAR 03 2009
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