NOTICE OF PROBATION WITH CONDITIONS (By Consent)
Case No. 04-117-GA Notice Issued: May 3, 2005 Valerie L. Yaeger, P 43619, Solana Beach, California, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #101.
1.
2.
Probation - 2 Years
Effective Upon Respondent=s Active Reinstatement to the Practice of Law in Michigan 1
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 allegations that, in numerous immigration matters, she failed to notify her clients and the courts of her suspension from the practice of law in six matters; and failed to return unearned fees in five matters. Respondent also pled no contest to the allegations, in two matters, that she failed to file pleadings on behalf of her clients; failed to notify her clients of hearings; and failed to keep her clients informed of the status of their matters. Additionally, respondent pled no contest in one matter to the allegations that she failed to appear at a hearing; failed to provide evidence in her motion to explain her client=s failure to appear at the hearing; and failed to correct the file number on that motion which delayed its receipt by the Court. Finally, respondent also pled no contest to failing to answer 10 requests for investigation served by the Grievance Administrator.
Respondent was charged with violations of MCR 9.104(A)(1)-(4), (7) and (9); MCR 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) and (b) 1.16(d); 8.1(a)(2); and 8.4(a)-(c). The parties stipulated to the entry of an order placing respondent on probation for two years, with conditions, upon respondent=s active reinstatement to the practice of law in Michigan. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,007.67.
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law since December 20, 2000. See Notice of Suspension (By Consent), issued December 27, 2000; and Notice of Suspension (By Consent), issued March 14, 2002.