MEMBERS LORI McALLISTER
CHAIRPERSON WILlIAMJ. DANHOF
VICE-CHAIRPERSON WILLIAM l. MATTHEWS, CPA
SECRETARY GEORGE H. LENNON BILLY BEN BAUMANN, M.D. HON. RICHARD F. SUHRHEINRICH ANDREA l. SOLAK THOMAS G. KIENBAUM EILEEN LAPPIN WEISER
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 Case Nos. 07-30-GA; 07-50-FA; 08-15-GA; 08-26-FA Notice Issued: June 2,2008
James C. Steffl, P 36537, Bingham Farms, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #74.
1. Suspension -.360 Days 2. Effective May 30,2008 The respondent appeared at the public hearing, but was found to be in default for his failure to file answers to the formal complaints. Based on that default, the panel found that respondent neglected four legal matters entrusted to him; failed to seek his clients' lawful objectives; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing his clients; failed to keep his clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters; failed to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information; failed to notify a client of a settlement offer; failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit his clients to make informed decisions regarding their representation; failed to surrender papers and property to which his clients were entitled upon termination of the representation; failed to promptly render a full accounting of an award upon request of the client or a third person; failed to have his contingent-fee agreement in writing; failed to promptly refund the advance payment of the fee that had not been earned; failed to respond to the lawful demands for information from the Grievance Administrator; and failed to file an answer to two requested for investigation and two formal complaints served upon him by the Grievance Administrator.
Respondent's conduct was in violation of MCR 9.1 04(A)(1 )-(4), and (7), MCR 9.113(A) and (8)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.5(c); 1.15(b)(3); 1.16(d);8.1(a)(2); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 360 days and that he pay restitution in the amount of $1,000.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2, 168.83.
John F. Van Bolt Dated: JUN 022008
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