NOTICE OF REPRIMAND Case No. 96-150-GA Brenda R. Williams, P-36769, Flint, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Genesee County Hearing Panel #3.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective January 17, 1997. Respondent was retained to investigate a woman's cause of death, and to represent the interests of the decedent's two sisters and three sons in her estate. Respondent requested and received a $1,000 retainer fee to proceed with the representation.
The panel found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that respondent failed to file an appearance on her clients' behalf or to take any action in the probate court to advance their interests in the estate; failed to seek to obtain any medical records concerning the cause of death for use in investigating this issue on her clients' behalf; and failed to inform her clients of her inaction or to respond to numerous inquiries from them concerning the status of the matter.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4(a); 3.2; and 8.4(a) and (c).
Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,171.70.