NOTICE OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION WITH RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case Nos. 98-99-GA; 98-115-FA Paul D. Curtis, P-29737, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #6.
1) Reprimand and Probation Six Months; 2) Effective October 12, 1998. The complainant retained respondent to pursue an appeal on behalf of her son. Respondent was paid approximately $1000 to research and investigate the matter. Respondent thereafter contacted the complainant and indicated that he was prepared to pursue the matter upon the payment of additional attorney fees. Respondent was paid an additional $2,700. Respondent pled no contest to allegations that he failed to pursue post-conviction relief on behalf of the complainant's son; failed to respond to the complainant's numerous inquiries as to the status of the post-conviction relief; and failed to refund the $2,700 paid to him for the purpose of pursuing an appeal.
The panel concluded that respondent's conduct violated MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; and 8.4(a)-(c).
The parties stipulated that respondent be reprimanded and placed on probation for six months, subject to conditions including monitoring of respondent's law practice and restitution to the complainant in the sum of $2,700. Costs were assessed in the amount of $183.26.