NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 98-46-GA; 98-66-FA Thomas R. Koopman, P-30995, Bridgeport, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Genesee County Hearing Panel #4.
1) Revocation; 2) Effective August 28, 1998. In February 1994, Respondent was retained to represent the complainant in a personal injury matter. Respondent was suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for 120 days commencing July 18, 1995, and for three years commencing May 2, 1996. Both suspensions remain in effect.
The panel found, by default, that respondent failed to notify the complainant of his suspension from the practice of law; continued to hold himself out as an attorney in June 1996 by calling the complainant and requesting $15,000 to hire an accident reconstruction expert to be used in the lawsuit; later advised the complainant that he could no longer represent him and that he was closing his file; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints. Respondent also failed to appear at the disciplinary hearing.
Respondent's conduct violated MCR 9.104(1)-(4), (7) and (9); MCR 9.119(A); Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 5.5(a); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c); and MCL 600.916; MSA 27A.916.
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be revoked and that he make restitution to the complainant in the amount of $1,200.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $289.63.