NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 96-244-GA; 96-270-FA Mary E. Bennett, P-36182, East Lansing, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #2.
1) Suspension - Eighteen (18) Months; 2) Effective May 6, 1997. Respondent was suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for thirty (30) days commencing August 19, 1995. [Case Nos. 94-220-GA; 95-47-FA. See Notice of Suspension and Probation (By Consent) dated August 21, 1995.] Respondent remains suspended pursuant to that order, as well as the Order of Suspension entered in Case Nos. 95-246-GA; 95-269-FA. [See Notice of Suspension dated February 15, 1996.]
In December 1995, respondent was retained by the complainant to represent him in a divorce action and a real estate matter. The panel found, by default, that respondent held herself out as an attorney while suspended from the practice of law; accepted the representation of the complainant while suspended; failed to disclose to the complainant her disqualification from the practice of law; failed to answer the Request for Investigation; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints. 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), (7) and (9); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); MCR 9.119(E); Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4(a) and (b); 5.5(a); 8.1(b); and 8.4 (a)-(c); and MCL 600.916; MSA 27A.916.
Costs were assessed in the amount of $424.14.