FINAL NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 00-175-GA; 00-199-FA Notice Issued: August 6, 2001 Deborah A. Carson, P-37602, Berkley, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board increasing a 90 day suspension by Tri-County Hearing Panel #79 to a 180 day suspension.
1. Suspension - 180 Days. 2. Effective April 19, 2001. The hearing panel found, by default, that respondent had committed acts of professional misconduct warranting discipline, specifically: In a visitation matter, respondent failed to file an emergency motion for visitation on behalf of her client; failed to respond to numerous inquiries from her client or to keep him reasonably informed regarding the status of his matter; abandoned her representation without notice to her client; failed to refund unearned fees; failed to return her client's file; and failed to file an answer to Formal Complaint 00-175-GA. Respondent's conduct was in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b) and 8.4(a) and (c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent=s license be suspended for 90 days and that she pay restitution in the amount of $400.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $190.33.
The Grievance Administrator has filed a petition for review seeking increased discipline. Review proceedings were held before the Attorney Discipline Board on June 21, 2001. On July 13, 2001, the Board issued an order increasing respondent's discipline to a 180 day suspension. Additional costs associated with the review hearing will be assessed in a separate order.