NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 97-142-GA; 97-167-FA Samuel V. Thomas, P-26693, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #24.
1) Revocation; 2) Effective January 6, 1998. Respondent was retained to represent the first complainant in a civil matter. The panel found that respondent neglected the matter.
Respondent was retained to represent the personal representative of a decedent's estate. A wrongful death action was settled on the estate's behalf, and respondent received $50,000 as settlement proceeds for payment of the estate's creditors. The panel found that respondent failed to maintain the funds in trust and misappropriated the funds.
Respondent was retained to represent another complainant in a bankruptcy matter. Respondent filed a bankruptcy petition, which was later dismissed. Respondent filed two subsequent bankruptcy petitions. The panel found that respondent filed the third bankruptcy petition although the second petition had not been dismissed by the court.
Respondent was retained to represent another complainant in a civil matter. The panel found that respondent neglected the matter. Respon-dent also failed to answer four Requests for Investigation; failed to answer the Formal Complaints; and failed to appear at the disciplinary hearing.
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; 1.16(d); 3.1; 3.2; 3.3(a)(2); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)- (c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be revoked for a second time,1. and make restitution to the estate in the amount of $49,575.38. Costs were assessed in the amount of $311.13. 1. Respondent's license to practice law was also revoked effective April 17, 1997. Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law since December 27, 1996.