NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS Case Nos. 97-208-GA; 97-248-FA Willard Wallace, Jr., P-21935, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #19.
1) Suspension - 180 Days; 2) Effective May 7, 1998.1. Respondent entered into a professional services agreement with the first complainant, an attorney, which allowed the complainant's law firm to refer selective cases to respondent for representation. For over two years, the firm forwarded 162 client files to respondent for representation. The firm then terminated its agreement with respondent and requested the return of the 162 files. The panel found, by default, that respondent only returned nine of the files to the law firm and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
Respondent was retained to represent the second complainant in a workers' compensation matter. The panel found that respondent neglected the matter and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
Respondent was retained to represent the third complainant in a workers' compensation matter. The panel found that respondent neglected the matter; failed to return the complainant's client file upon request; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation. Respondent also failed to answer the Formal Complaints.
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); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for 180 days, subject to conditions relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $505.06. 1. 1. Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law since January 28, 1997.