NOTICE OF REPRIMAND AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITIONS (By Consent)
Case No. 03-15-GA Notice Issued: November 12, 2003 H. Edward Pirtle, P 43973, Ypsilanti, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #4.
1. Reprimand 2. Effective November 12, 2003 The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of discipline, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), containing respondent=s plea of no contest that, in a paternity action, he failed to return his client=s phone calls; failed to advise his client of the status of his matter; failed to advise his client of the final pre-trial conference; failed to submit information to the court to further his client=s interest; failed to appear at the final pre-trial conference or to make arrangements for a substitute attorney to appear on his behalf; and failed to refund the unearned portion of the $1,000.00 attorney fee.
Respondent was charged with violations of MCR 9.104(A)(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a) and (c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); and 1.16(d); 3.2; 3.4(c); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The parties agreed that respondent should be reprimanded and pay restitution in the amount of $1,000.00. Additionally, the parties agreed that respondent shall place his license on inactive status with the State Bar of Michigan and shall be required to file a petition for reinstatement in order to return to active status. Costs were assessed in the amount of $941.38.