NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (By Consent)
Case No. 01-115-GA Notice Issued: March 14, 2002 Valerie L. Yaeger, P-43619, Sterling Heights, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #103.
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Suspension - 18 Months;
Effective December 20, 2000.
The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of discipline in accordance with MCR 9.115(f)(5) which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. Respondent pled no contest to allegations that, in an immigration matter, she misrepresented to her client that a brief had been filed on her client's behalf; failed to advise her client of the court's denial of the application for asylum; did not timely advise her client of her right to appeal; made a false statement in her answer to the request for investigation; and failed to take prompt action to rectify the consequence of her client's false testimony. In a divorce matter, respondent failed to timely file a proof of service; and failed to advise her client of the dismissal of the action. In another divorce matter, respondent failed to file an objection to the entry of a judgment of divorce; misrepresented to her client that the document had been properly filed; failed to advise her client that the judgment of divorce had been entered; and made a false statement in her answer to the request for investigation.
Respondent was charged with violations of MCR 9.104(A)(1)-(4), (6) and (7); MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.113(B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(c); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.14; 1.16; 3.3(a)(2) and (4); 8.1(b); and 8.4 (a) - (c). The parties stipulated to the entry of an order suspending respondent=s license to practice law for 18 months retroactive to December 20, 2000. Costs were assessed in the amount of $33.76.