NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 98-69-GA; 98-91-FA Dennis James Dunn, P-30211, Farmington Hills, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #64.
1) Suspension - 180 Days; 2) Effective September 25, 1998. The complainant retained respondent to represent her and her minor son to recover damages arising from personal injuries sustained by her son. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected the matter; made knowingly false statements to the complainant; failed to promptly release the client file to the complainant or successor counsel; although he told successor counsel that a second file existed, he failed to release the second file to either the complainant or successor counsel; failed to answer the Request for Investigation; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints. Respondent did, however, appear at the disciplinary hearing.
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; 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for 180 days. Costs were assessed in the amount of $280.81.