NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 96-265-GA; 97-4-FA Joel D. Patterson, P-41674, Royal Oak, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #26.
1) Revocation; 2) Effective March 15, 1997. Respondent was retained and paid $1,150 to represent the complainant in a criminal matter. The panel found, by default, that respondent appeared late for the preliminary examination; failed to appear for a hearing; failed to keep in communication with the complainant and failed to respond to his numerous inquiries; abandoned the representation; failed to refund the unearned fees; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation. Respondent also failed to answer the Formal Complaint and 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(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.5(a); 1.16(d); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be revoked and that he make restitution to the complainant in the amount of $1,150 plus interest. Costs were assessed in the amount of $87.60.
NOTE: This is the third revocation of respondent's license to practice law in Michigan. The two prior revocations were effective September 5, 1996 and November 14, 1996.