NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 97-192-GA; 97-219-FA Dennis James Dunn, P-30211, Farmington Hills, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board reducing Tri-County Hearing Panel #60's Order of Suspension for 90 days.
1) Suspension - 60 Days; 2) Effective January 21, 1999.1 The complainant retained respondent on a contingency fee basis to pursue a medical malpractice claim against a hospital. The panel found, by default, that respondent failed to pursue or investigate the complainant's medical malpractice claim; failed to file a civil action against the hospital; allowed the statute of limitations to run on the medical malpractice claim; abandoned the representation; failed to respond to the complainant's inquiries; failed to answer the Request for Investigation; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints. Respondent did, however, appear at the disciplinary hearing.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of 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(b) and (c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 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 for 90 days. Costs were assessed in the amount of $364.14.
Respondent filed a petition for review and received an automatic stay of discipline. In an order entered April 15, 1998, the Board reduced the suspension to 60 days. Respondent filed an application for leave to appeal, which was denied by the Michigan Supreme Court in an order entered December 30, 1998.
________________________ 1 In an unrelated matter, respondent was suspended from the practice of law for 180 days effective September 25, 1998. That suspension remains in effect.