MEMBERS WILLIAM P. HAMPTON
CHAIRPERSON LORI McALLISTER VICE-CHAIRPER50N WILLIAM L. MATIHEWS, CPA
5ECRETAAY REV. IRA COMBS, JR. GEORGE H. LENNON BILLY BEN BAUMANN, M.D. HON. RICHARD F. SUHRHEINRICH
WILLIAM J. DANHOF ANDREA L. SOLAK
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
JOHN F. VAN BOLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARK A. ARMITAGE DEPUTY DIRECTOR
JENNIFER M. PETTY LEGAL AS515TANT
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 Case No. 06-115-GA Notice Issued: August 8, 2007
C. Melvin Burley, Jr., P 11424, Trenton, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #24.
1. Suspension - 90 Days 2. Effective July 20, 2007 The respondent appeared at the hearing and but was found to be in default for his failure to file an answer to the formal complaint. Based on that default, the panel found that respondent neglected legal matters; failed to seek the lawful objectives of his clients through reasonably available means permitted by law; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness; failed to keep his clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters and to respond to their requests for information; engaged in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; engaged in conduct that exposes the legal profession or the courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach; engaged in conduct that is contrary to justice, ethics, honesty or good morals; knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority; failed
to provide a timely answer to the request for investigation; failed to provide an accounting upon request; failed to safekeep client funds in a client trust account in which no funds of his were deposited; misappropriated client funds; failed to refund the unearned portion of the advance payment of the fee; failed to surrender client property upon termination of his representation; and made misrepresentations to his client. Respondent's conduct was in violation of MCR 9.1 04(A)(1)-(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); 1.15(b)(3) and (g); 1.16(d); 8.1 (a)(2) and 8.4(a)-(c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 90 days and that he comply with conditions relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,955.76.
Dated:
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