NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 95-142-GA Gregory A. Bishop, P-23301, Wyandotte, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board affirming Tri-County Hearing Panel #31's Order of Suspension and Vacating Conditions.
1) Suspension - 120 Days; 2) Effective October 3, 1998. Respondent was retained to represent the complainant in a land contract forfeiture proceeding. A default judgment was thereafter entered in the complainant's favor. A Writ of Restitution was entered to enable the complainant to regain possession of the property. Respondent advised the complainant that the Writ revealed that the property had been fraudulently conveyed to a third party and that an action to quiet title needed to be filed, and agreed to represent the him in that action.
The panel found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that respondent failed to file an action to quiet title, and failed to advise the complainant of his inaction or to keep him informed as to the status of the matter; falsely advised the complainant that he was awaiting the scheduling of a court date in the action to quiet title; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
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(c); 1.3; 1.4; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for 120 days, with conditions.
Respondent filed a petition for review and received an automatic stay of discipline. In an order and opinion issued September 10, 1998, the Attorney Discipline Board affirmed the 120-day suspension and vacated the conditions. Costs were assessed in the total amount of $2,303.04.