NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 03-88-GA Notice Issued: March 12, 2004 Robert J. McQuade, P 40677, Dearborn, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #101
1. Suspension - 60 Days 2. Effective March 9, 2004 Based on respondent=s admission, the panel found that respondent, in a divorce matter, failed to serve his client=s husband with the divorce complaint prior to the expiration of the summons; allowed his client=s divorce to be dismissed for lack of service; failed to advise his client that the matter had been dismissed for lack of service; failed to keep his client reasonably informed regarding the status of her matter; and abandoned the representation. In a foreclosure matter, respondent failed to file a complaint on behalf of his client or take any other action on her matter; failed to advise his client that his office had moved and failed to provide her with a forwarding address; failed to keep his client reasonably informed regarding the status of the matter or respond to her requests for information; failed to return the unearned portion of the fee to his client; abandoned the representation; and shared the legal fees with a non-lawyer. Respondent=s conduct was in violation of MCR 9.104(A)(1)-(4); and the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 5.4(a); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of discipline based on the panel=s finding of misconduct. The parties agreed that respondent should be suspended for 60 days and pay restitution in the amount of $750.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,031.45.