NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 00-22-GA; 00-37-FA Issued: July 10, 2000 Julie Baran, P-45232, Kalamazoo, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Kalamazoo County Hearing Panel #2.
1)Suspension - 180 Days; 2)Effective June 28, 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 an employment discrimination matter, respondent failed to institute litigation on behalf of her client; failed to respond to his numerous inquiries and abandoned the representation without notice to her client. In another matter, respondent failed to return the client=s file and unearned fees after client had submitted a written request. In a personal injury matter, respondent failed to institute litigation on her client=s behalf; failed to respond to numerous inquiries about the status of the case; abandoned the representation without notice to her client; and failed to return the client file. In a guardianship matter, respondent failed to institute litigation on her client=s behalf; failed to appear at scheduled appointments; failed to respond to numerous inquiries from her client; abandoned the representation; and failed to return original documents and unearned fees. In a landlord-tenant matter, respondent failed to institute litigation on her client=s behalf; failed to respond to his inquiries; abandoned the representation without notice to her client; and failed to return unearned fees. In addition, respondent submitted billing statements which falsely claimed that she drafted a summons and complaint and appeared in court on behalf of this client. Further, respondent failed to respond to four requests for investigation served by the Attorney Grievance Commission. The panel found that respondent=s conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A); and MCR 9.113(B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.4(b); 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent=s license be suspended for 180 days and that she make restitution to her former clients in the aggregate amount of $2,750.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $343.82.