NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 96-276-GA John B. Catchings, P-43463, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #21.
1) Suspension - Two (2) Years; 2) Effective May 1, 1997. In 1992, respondent was retained to represent the complainant in two civil matters and received a total of $750 in fees. The panel found that respondent neglected the matter and made statements to the complainant which were false and were known by him to have been false at the time they were made.
Respondent was suspended from the practice of law for failure to pay his annual dues to the State Bar of Michigan effective January 25, 1993. He has not been reinstated. The panel found that respondent failed to file an affidavit of compliance with the Attorney Grievance Commission; failed to provide the complainant with notice of his inability to practice law; failed to provide the complainant with notice of the location of his files and records or to make the file available to him; and held himself out to the complainant as authorized to practice law.
The panel further found that respondent made representations in his answer to the Request for Investigation which were false and were known by him to have been false at the time they were made; and gave false testimony during his sworn statement taken by the AGC during the course of its investigation. Respondent also failed to appear at the disciplinary hearings.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (6); MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.119(A), (C) and (E); MCL 600.916, MSA 27A.916; and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 5.5(a); 8.1(a); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for two years and make restitution to the complainant in the amount of $750 plus interest. Costs were assessed in the amount of $386.46.