NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 01-92-GA Notice Issued: February 12, 2002 Robert L. Harley, Jr., P-30166, Rockford, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Kent County Hearing Panel #6.
1. Suspension - 30 days; 2. Effective January 14, 2002. Respondent pled no contest to allegations that, in a civil action, he failed to file a witness list; conduct discovery; or respond to a settlement proposal; failed to maintain reasonable communication with his client; failed to explain the legal proceedings or its status to his client, including failing to notify his client of the scheduled trial date; lost client property consisting of potential exhibits; failed to release his client's file to successor counsel; failed to refund unearned fees; failed to provide an accounting of his fees; failed to respond to letters from the Attorney Grievance Commission requesting additional information; and failed to provide documents or information requested during the course of his sworn statement at the Attorney Grievance Commission's offices. The parties agreed that respondent should be suspended for 30 days effective January 14, 2002.
Respondent was charged with violations of MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a)-(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.5(a) and (b); 1.15(a) and (b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for 30 day and further ordered respondent to pay restitution in the amount of $3,500.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $605.73.