NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITIONS Case No. 06-122-GA Notice Issued: December 29, 2006 Gregory O. Drais, P 44458, Linden, Michigan by the Attorney Discipline Board Genesee County Hearing Panel #1.
1. Suspension - 180 Days 2. Effective December 28, 2006 Respondent was found to be in default for his failure to file an answer to the formal complaint. Respondent also failed to appear at the public hearing. Based on the default, the panel found that respondent, in two bankruptcy matters, neglected legal matters entrusted to him; failed to seek the lawful objectives of his clients through reasonably available means permitted by law; 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 and to respond to requests for information; charged and collected an illegal or excessive fee; failed to refund the unearned portion of the advance payment of the fee; and failed to abide by a rule of a tribunal. In one of those bankruptcy matters, respondent was found to have handled a legal matter which he knew or should have known he was not competent to handle. In the second bankruptcy matter, respondent failed to surrender papers to his client upon termination of the representation. The hearing panel also found, by default, the respondent knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority; and failed to answer a request for investigation.
Respondent=s conduct was in violation of Michigan Court Rules 9.104(A)(1)-(4) and (7); 9.113(A) and (B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a) and (c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.5(a); 1.16(d); 3.4(c); 8.1(a)(2); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent=s license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 180 days and that he pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $1,450.00. The panel also ordered that respondent be subject to conditions relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,755.86.