NOTICE OF ORDER IMPOSING NO DISCIPLINE Case No. 97-259-GA Debra A. Kopczynski, P-36366, Roseville, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board affirming a Hearing Panel Order of Discipline.
1. Order Imposing No Discipline; 2. Effective August 6, 1999.
The hearing panel found, by a preponderance of the evidence, the respondent failed to file a timely answer to a Request for Investigation in violation of MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.113(B)(2) and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 8.1(b) and 8.4(a) and (c). The panel made a further factual finding that the respondent prepared and mailed an answer to the Request for Investigation which was not received by the Attorney Grievance Commission. The panel concluded the respondent was ultimately responsible for her failure to file the answer within the meaning of MCR 9.113(A) but that, under all of the circumstances, an order imposing "no discipline at all" was appropriate, citing Grievance Administrator v Deutch and Howell, 445 Mich 149 (1997).
The Grievance Administrator petitioned for review. In an order entered July 15, 1999, the Attorney Discipline Board affirmed the hearing panel's order. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,027.29.