NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 98-240-GA Glenn R. Stevens, P-36197, Grand Blanc and Owosso, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Genesee County Hearing Panel #3.
1) Suspension - One Year; 2) Effective March 11, 1999.1 Respondent was retained to purse a child custody action on the first complainant's behalf, requested and received a $3,500 fee, and filed a Motion to Change Custody on her behalf. Respondent pled no contest to allegations that he failed to respond to the complainant's requests for information or keep her reasonably informed as to the status of the matter; failed to provide the complainant with an accounting regarding services he performed; and failed to return the unearned portion of the fee to the complainant.
Respondent was retained to pursue an auto negligence action on the second complainant's behalf. Approximately three years later, he filed an action in Genesee County Circuit Court. Respondent pled no contest to allegations that he neglected the matter; made a representation to the complainant which was false and was known by him to have been false at the time it was made; failed to timely notify the complainant of his suspension from the practice of law; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
The panel concluded that respondent's conduct violated MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); MCR 9.119(A) and (E); MCL 600.916; MSA 27A.916; and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5(a); 1.16(a) and (d); 3.2; 5.5(a); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The parties stipulated that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for one year, and that he make restitution to the first complainant in the sum of $3,500. Costs were assessed in the amount of $81.62.
________________________ 1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since May 28, 1997. His license to practice law was also revoked effective September 9, 1998.