NOTICE OF REPRIMAND WITH CONDITIONS Case Nos. 96-134-GA; 96-154-FA Susan F. Reed, P-26987, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #7.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective January 3, 1997. Respondent was retained to commence guardianship proceedings for her client's mother. Her client's mother died several months later. Upon the mother's death, respondent agreed to assist her client in taking the action necessary to transfer title to the mother's home to her client's daughter. The panel found, by default and respondent's stipulation, that respondent neglected both estate matters; failed to respond to her client's inquiries; and abandoned the representation. Respondent also stipulated that she failed to answer the Formal Complaints.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent be reprimanded and make restitution to the complainant in the amount of $500, plus any delinquencies owed for maintaining the conservator's bond. The panel further ordered that respondent not be involved in any disciplinary proceeding which results in a finding of misconduct which originates within a one-year period from the effective date of the order of discipline, and that failure to comply with the conditions in the order will result in the reprimand being set aside and the entry of a thirty-day suspension. Costs were assessed in the amount of $328.77.