NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITIONS (By Consent)
Case No. 05-138-GA Notice Issued: July 28, 2006 James E. Bliss, P 41577, Lansing, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #2
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Suspension - 90 Days
Effective July 28, 2006
The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of discipline in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5) which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. Respondent pled no contest to the allegations of professional misconduct contained in Counts One and Three of Formal Complaint 05-138-GA, that, in a criminal matter, he neglected a legal matter entrusted to him; failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of his matter and to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; failed to communicate with his client to the extent reasonably necessary for the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation; failed to seek the lawful objectives of his client; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing his client; failed to return an advance payment of fee that had not been earned; failed to fully and fairly disclose all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the alleged misconduct and making misrepresentations in his answer to a request for investigation; knowingly made misrepresentations of facts and circumstances surrounding a request for investigation; knowingly made a false statement of material fact in connection with a disciplinary matter; engaged in conduct that exposes the legal profession or the courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach; engaged in conduct contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals; engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice; and violated or attempted to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, in violation of MCR 9.104(A)(1)-(4) and (6); MCR 9.113(A); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.16(d); 8.1(a)(1); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The parties agreed that respondent should be suspended for 90 days and that respondent shall pay restitution in the amount of $750.00. The parties further agreed that respondent shall be subject to conditions relevant to the alleged misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $872.82.