FINAL NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS Case No. 98-98-GA Issued: October 19, 2000 Alphonse Lewis, Jr., P-16624, Grand Rapids, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board, affirming a 30 day suspension by Kent County Hearing Panel #3.
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Suspension - 30 days.
Effective September 25, 2000.
The hearing panel found that respondent, Alphonse Lewis, Jr., had committed acts of professional misconduct as alleged in Count Five of Formal Complaint 98-98-GA, specifically: That respondent failed to communicate with his client regarding the basis or rate of respondent=s fee before or within a reasonable time after commencing his representation. Respondent=s conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(4) and MRPC 1.5(b). On November 19, 1999, the hearing panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for 30 days with conditions relevant to the established misconduct.
On December 9, 1999, the respondent filed a petition for review and a request for a stay of discipline on December 13, 1999. The Grievance Administrator filed a cross-petition for review on December 13, 1999. Both parties appeared at the review hearing held on September 21, 2000. On September 26, 2000, based upon the parties= agreement on the record, the Board entered an order dismissing the petition and cross-petition and affirming the 30 day suspension. Costs were assessed in a supplemental order in the amount of $2,784.38.