NOTICE OF REVOCATION Case Nos. 98-71-GA; 98-96-FA Sonja J. Branham, P-37754, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #9.
1) Revocation; 2) Effective August 22, 1998. Respondent was suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for a period of 37 months effective June 13, 1996. In July 1996, she was retained to represent the complainant in a divorce action. In August 1996, she filed a complaint for divorce on the complainant's behalf in Oakland County Circuit Court. The panel found, by default, that respondent accepted the matter after the effective date of her suspension; filed or caused to be filed a verified complaint for divorce on the complainant's behalf and appeared as attorney of record in the matter while suspended from the practice of law; neglected the matter; failed to answer the Request for Investigation; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints. Respondent also failed to appear at the disciplinary hearing.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4), (7) and (9); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); MCL 600.916; MSA 27A.916; and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.16(a); 5.5(a); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be revoked. Costs were assessed in the amount of $150.25.