NOTICE OF REVOCATION Case Nos. 97-64-GA; 97-95-FA; 97-93-GA; 97-128-FA; 97-147-GA; 97-170-FA; 97-173-GA
Arthur Borja, P-45771, Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Kent County Hearing Panel #2.
1) Revocation; 2) Effective December 5, 1997. Respondent was retained to represent four separate complainants in three immigration matters and one child support/ custody matter. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected all four matters; failed to refund $2000 in unearned fees and to release two client files; commingled and misappropriated $2299.96 entrusted to him regarding the child support matter; made representations to one complainant which were false and known by him to have been false at the time they were made; failed to answer the Requests for Investigation; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints.
Respondent was on the roster of the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System ("MAACS") from approximately December 22, 1994 to April 30, 1997. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected nine matters assigned to him by MAACS; made statements to a MAACS employee which were false and were known by him to have been false at the time they were made; failed to answer the Request for Investigation; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints. Respondent also 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(a)-(c); 1.2; 1.3; 1.4; 1.5(a); 1.15(a)-(c); 1.16(d); 3.2; 3.4(c); 4.1; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be revoked.1. Costs were assessed in the amount of $551.92. 1. Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since April 30, 1997.