NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS Case Nos. 96-204-GA; 96-220-FA; 96-240-GA Arthur Borja, P-45771, Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Kent County Hearing Panel #3.
1) Suspension - Sixty (60) Days; 2) Effective April 30, 1997. Respondent was appointed to represent the first complainant in his appeal of a plea based conviction. The panel found that respondent neglected the matter and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
Respondent was contacted by the second complainant regarding his potential representation of 13 minors in immigration matters. Respondent agreed to represent the minors. The panel found that respondent failed to attend a scheduled meeting; failed to provide reasonable notice that he would not represent the minors; and without notice, declined the representation.
Respondent was retained by the third complainant to institute proceedings for separate maintenance and a subsequent divorce action. The panel found that respondent neglected the matter.
Respondent was retained to represent the fourth complainant in immigration proceedings. The panel found that respondent neglected the matter; failed to release the client file upon request; and failed to cooperate in the investigation of the complainant's Request for Investigation. The panel further found that respondent failed to timely answer a Formal Complaint and failed to answer a separate, unrelated Request for Investigation.
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) and (b); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for sixty days and take the three-part State Bar of Michigan Law Office Management Course. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1470.60.