NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION (By Consent)
Case No. 01-153-GA Notice Issued: July 15, 2002 Thomas A. Howard, P-15176, Southfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #59.
1. Suspension - 30 days; 2. Probation - 2 Years; 3. Effective August 1, 2002. The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of discipline, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), containing the respondent's plea of no contest to the allegations that respondent failed to deposit a $25,000 fee into an interest-bearing account; failed to maintain the complete records of funds paid to him; failed to timely refund an unearned fee; failed to provide itemization or other description of services rendered; failed to respond to client's billing inquiries; failed to advise his client of his hourly rate; failed to issue periodic billings; failed to surrender client's documents to successor counsel; and failed to file an answer to a request for investigation served by the Grievance Administrator. Respondent was charged with violations of MCR 9.104(A)(1)-(4) and 7; MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.113(B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4(b); 1.5(a) and (b); 1.15(a), (b) and (d); 1.16(d); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c). The parties agreed that respondent should be suspended for 30 days and be subject to a two year probation, with conditions, upon his reinstatement. Costs were assessed in the amount of $526.79.