NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 99-127-GA Issued: February 25, 2000 Steven W. Simmons, P-55624, Royal Oak, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #66.
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Suspension - 180 Days
Effective February 22,2000
The hearing panel found that respondent commingled client funds with his own by depositing settlement proceeds in the amount of $5,000.00 into an account not identified as a client trust account. Respondent paid a portion of the transcript costs incurred prior to settlement. However, the account was depleted while the remaining transcript costs were unpaid. The hearing panel found that the depletion constituted a misappropriation of $2,073.36. The panel further found that respondent failed to timely respond to a request for investigation served by the Attorney Grievance Commission.
The panel concluded that respondent's conduct violated MCR 9.104(1 ) - (4) and (7); MCR 9.113(B)(2) and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.15(a)-(c); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for a period of 180 days. The panel further ordered respondent to make restitution in the amount of $2,073.36. Costs were assessed in the amount of $390.50.