NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS Case No. 96-182-GA Georgia D. Manzie, P-42614, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #7.
1) Suspension - 120 Days; 2) Effective October 14, 1998.1. The first complainant retained respondent to file an action against the Michigan Department of Corrections to have his good time credits restored. The panel found that respondent delayed in filing an action on the complainant's behalf for two and one- half years. The same complainant subsequently retained respondent to file a Motion for Relief from Judgment. The panel found that respondent failed to file such a motion. Respondent admitted that she failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
The second complainant retained respondent and paid her a $10,100 retainer to file a Motion for Relief from Judgment and seek other relief on her husband's behalf. The panel found that respondent failed to respond to the inquiries of either her client or the complainant and failed to refund the unearned portion of the retainer. Respondent admitted that she 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); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a); 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 for 120 days, make restitution to the second complainant in the sum of $2,500, and, upon her reinstatement to the practice of law, successfully complete one year in the State Bar of Michigan Mentoring Program. Costs were assessed in the amount of $750.66. 1. Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law since April 3, 1996.