NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 98-171-GA; 98-200-FA Paul A. VanAssche, P-39116, Roseville, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #101.
1) Suspension - One Year; 2) Effective December 22, 1998. Respondent was retained to represent the first complainant in a criminal matter. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected the matter.
Respondent was retained to represent another complainant in a civil matter. The The matter settled, and the complainant signed the settlement documents and returned them to respondent. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected and abandoned the matter; failed to return the unearned $1,500 fee paid to him by the complainant; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
Respondent was retained to represent another complainant in a divorce matter. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected and abandoned the matter; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation. Respondent also failed to answer two separate, unrelated Requests for Investigation and the Formal Complaint.
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); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a) and (c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5(a); 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for a period of one year. Costs were assessed in the amount of $372.66.