NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (With Conditions)
Case No. 01-34-GA Notice Issued: March 18, 2002 James V. Fowler, P-23281, Redford, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #25.
1. Suspension - 30 days. 2. Effective March 15, 2002. The hearing panel found by default that respondent, in a post-divorce action, failed to pursue the motion to set aside the default judgment and allowed the matter to be dismissed. In a subsequent motion to set aside the entire divorce, respondent failed to schedule the motion for hearing and allowed the matter to again be dismissed. Respondent, upon filing a claim of appeal of the second dismissal, failed to obtain the transcript and allowed the appeal to be involuntarily dismissed. Respondent also failed to pursue a probate claim for the same client. Further, respondent failed to advise his client of any of the dismissals; and failed to respond to her inquiries regarding her legal matter. Respondent=s conduct was in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a)-(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 3.2; and 8.4(a) and (c). The hearing panel issued an order suspending respondent's license to practice law in Michigan for 30 days with conditions relative to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $481.96.