NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 97-137-GA Steven A. Bright, P-26065, Farmington Hills, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board increasing Tri-County Hearing Panel #57's Order of Reprimand.
1) Suspension - Thirty (30) Days; 2) Effective April 27, 1998. Respondent was retained by the complainant and her mother to represent them in a professional malpractice claim against an investment broker/advisor, and filed a cause of action in Oakland County Circuit Court. Pursuant to the stipulation of the parties, the case was dismissed without prejudice so the claim could be submitted to binding arbitration, which respondent agreed to pursue on behalf of his clients. Respondent entered a plea of no contest to allegations that, for a period of over four years, he neglected the matter and made statements to his clients which were false and were known by him to be false at the time they were made. Respondent entered a plea of no contest to charges that his conduct violated MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4(a); 3.2; and 8.4(a)-(c). The panel ordered that respondent be reprimanded.
The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review seeking increased discipline. On April 14, 1998, the Attorney Discipline Board entered an Order Increasing Discipline to a thirty -day suspension. Costs were assessed in the total amount of $573.40.