NOTICE OF REPRIMAND Case Nos. 94-158-GA; 94-174-FA Jonathan E. Holt, P-28948, Fenton, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board reducing Genesee County Hearing Panel #1's Order of Suspension for 30 days.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective February 7, 1998. Respondent was retained to represent the complainant in divorce proceedings. The panel found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that respondent neglected the matter over an extended period of time and failed to keep in reasonable communication with the complainant. The panel dismissed Formal Complaint 94- 174-FA, which alleged that respondent failed to timely answer Formal Complaint 94-158-GA. Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a)-(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 3.2; and 8.4(a) and (c). The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for 30 days.
The respondent and the Grievance Administrator each filed a petition for review. In an order and opinion issued January 16, 1998, the Attorney Discipline Board reversed the dismissal of Formal Complaint 97-174-FA and reduced discipline to a reprimand. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,429.08.
The Grievance Administrator filed an application for leave to appeal seeking a suspension of at least 60 days. No application for leave to appeal or request for stay of discipline was filed by respondent, and the reprimand was deemed to be effective February 7, 1998. The Supreme Court denied leave in an order entered October 26, 1998.