NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS Case Nos. 97-135-GA; 97-153-GA; 97-161-FA Mark Q. Witkowski, P-33021, Battle Creek, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Calhoun County Hearing Panel.
1) Suspension - 45 Days; 2) Effective January 13, 1998. Respondent was retained by one complainant to obtain a termination or reduction of his obligation to pay a child support arrearage. The panel found that respondent failed to keep the complainant reasonably informed concerning the status of his matter and abandoned the representation; failed to answer a Request for Investigation; filed untimely answers to three other Requests for Investigation; and filed an untimely answer to Formal Complaint 97-135-GA. 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); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 4.1; 8.1(b) and 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for 45 days. The panel further ordered that respondent be subject to conditions relevant to the established misconduct for one year following his reinstatement to the practice of law, including taking the State Bar of Michigan Law Office Management Seminar and a course on communication skills, and practicing law under the supervision of a monitor. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,105.97.