NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 97-65-GA; 97-92-FA; 97-120-GA; 97-151-FA Willard Wallace, Jr., P-21935, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board affirming Tri-County Hearing Panel #34's Order of Suspension.
1) Suspension - Ten (10) Months; 2) Effective December 30, 1997. Respondent was retained by three separate complainants to represent them in a workers' compensation matters. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected the matters; failed to return the client file to one complainant or his new attorney upon written request; failed to answer the Requests 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(c); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for ten months and return the complainants' client files.
Respondent filed a petition for review and petition for stay of discipline. The petition for stay was denied.1. In an order issued April 13, 1998, the Attorney Discipline Board affirmed the ten-month suspension. Costs were assessed in the total amount of $484.76. 1. Respondent was also suspended from the practice of law for failure to pay his annual dues to the State Bar of Michigan, effective January 28, 1997, and for failure to pay costs assessed in the Order of Reprimand With Conditions entered in Case Nos. 96-251-GA; 96-280-FA, effective August 13, 1997. Those suspensions remain in effect.