NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 01-127-GA; 01-139-FA Notice Issued: May 2, 2002 Michael J. Odette, P-26225, Birmingham, Michigan by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #80.
1. Revocation; 2. Effective April 30, 2002. The hearing panel found that respondent, after being retained to assist a client in placing a lien on property, failed to file the lien; and misrepresented to the client that he had filed the lien. In another matter, respondent, after being retained to prepare federal and state income tax returns, failed to file the tax returns despite assuring the client that the forms would be timely completed and filed. Further, respondent coerced this client to invest $30,000.00 in a corporation which he assured her was a safe investment with a steady income and immediate liquidity. Respondent failed to advise his client to obtain independent counsel regarding the investment or provide an adequate opportunity for her to do so; did not fully disclose his personal financial interest in the corporation; and failed to repay any money or interest despite repeated demands from the client and her successor counsel. Also, respondent failed to keep his clients advised of the status of their matters; and failed to respond to their telephone messages and letters. Finally, respondent failed to comply with a subpoena; and failed to file an answer to a request for investigation and formal complaint served upon him by the Grievance Administrator.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(A)(1)-(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.113(B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1; 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.7(b); 1.8(a); 8.1; and 8.4(a)-(c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license practice law in Michigan be revoked and that respondent pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $31,891.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $948.38.