NOTICE OF REPRIMAND WITH CONDITIONS (By Consent)
Case Nos. 97-207-GA; 97-233-FA Michael A. O'Bey, P-32093, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #15.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective February 20, 1998. The complainant paid respondent $500 to institute divorce proceedings on her behalf. Respondent pled no contest to allegations that he neglected the matter, causing the action to be dismissed with prejudice; failed to respond to the complainant's inquiries; abandoned the representation; and failed to promptly refund the unearned fee.
Respondent pled no contest to charges that his conduct violated MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a)-(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5(a); 1.16(d); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The parties stipulated that respondent be reprimanded, with conditions including the monitoring of his law practice for a period of one year, attendance at a State Bar of Michigan law office management seminar, and restitution to the complainant in the amount of $500. Costs were assessed in the amount of $195.01.