MEMBERS lORI McALLISTER
CHAIRPERSON WilLIAM J. DANHOF VICE-CHAIRPERSON WilLIAM l. MATIHEWS, 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. PETIY LEGAL ASSISTANT
211 WEST FORT ST. SUITE 1410 DETROITAMICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHuNE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571 WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 07-01-GA Notice Issued: March 18, 2008
Paul A. Pianto, P 43252, Owosso, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #6.
1. Revocation 2. Effective March 1, 2007 1 Respondent failed to personally appear at the initial hearing conducted March 1,2007. In accordance with MCR 9.115(H), the hearing panel determined that respondent's claim of physical or mental incapacity as the reason for his failure to appear warranted an interim suspension from the practice of law until further order of the panel.
Respondent failed to appear at a subsequent hearing and was found to be in default for his failure to file an answer to the form·aI complaint. Based on that default, the panel found that respondent abandoned the representation of 10 bankruptcy clients; and, in those matters, intentionally represented to the bankruptcy court that the required filing fees had been paid when in fact, the fees had not been paid; failed to appear on his clients' behalf at creditor exams; failed to refund unearned fees; misappropriated client funds; and failed to return his clients' files and necessary documents. Additionally, respondent failed to answer 10 requests for investigation 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 (B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.15(b) and (d); 1.16(d); 3.3(a)(1); and 8.4(b) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be revoked, effective March 1, 2007, the date of his interim suspension. The panel also ordered that respondent pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $9,765.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,483.42.
········-···Dated:
MAR 18 2008 --------
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since March 1,2007. See Notice of Interim Suspension issued April 5,2007.