NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 00-59-GA; 00-79-FA Issued: August 25, 2000 Judith A. Oswell, P-31849, Allen Park, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #9.
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Suspension - 1Year Effective August 25, 2000.
Respondent failed to answer the formal complaint and failed to appear at the scheduled hearing before the panel. The panel found, by default, that respondent committed professional misconduct, to wit: In a divorce matter, respondent failed to make provision in the QDRO for her client=s entitlement to 25% of the stock savings plan; failed to assist her client in the necessary steps to correct the non-conforming QDRO which had been entered with the court; failed to respond to her client=s numerous inquiries regarding the stock savings plan and/or divorce settlement; failed to answer a request for investigation and failed to answer a formal complaint. Respondent=s conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.113(B)(2); and the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent=s license to practice law in the Michigan be suspended for 1 year. The panel also ordered respondent to pay restitution in the amount of $500.00 with statutory interest. Costs were assessed in the amount of $308.56.