NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION
Case No. 03-118-GA
Notice Issued: December 3, 2003
Paul S. Schaefer, P 29748, Paw Paw, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Kalamazoo County Hearing Panel #2.
1.
2.
Revocation
Effective December 2, 2003 1
Respondent attended the public hearing but was found to be in default for failing to file an answer to the formal complaint. Based on that default, the hearing panel found that respondent had practiced law while his license was suspended and failed to file an answer to a request for investigation filed by the Grievance Administrator. Additionally, respondent, in a civil litigation matter, failed to respond to a motion for summary judgment and did not make a meaningful oral argument in response to the motion; failed to file a brief in the Michigan Court of Appeals causing a dismissal of the case; failed to advise his client that the appeal had been dismissed; deliberately led his client to believe that the appeal was still pending after it had been dismissed; and charged his client $5,000.00 which was excessive in relation to the benefit provided.
Respondent=s conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.103(C);MCR 9.104(A)(1)-(4), (7), and (9); MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.113(B)(2); MCR 9.119(E); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.5(a); 8.1(a)(2); and 8.4(a)-(c). The hearing panel ordered that respondent=s license to practice be revoked and that respondent pay restitution in the amount of $5,000.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,933.41.
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since March 1, 2003. See Notice of Suspension and Restitution (Pending Appeal) dated March 4, 2003.