NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 96-44-GA Raymond J. Barton, P-39201, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #104.
1) Suspension - sixty (60) days; 2) Effective July 3, 1996. Respondent was retained to file a land contract forfeiture action. He received a $750 attorney fee and a $42 filing fee from his client. The panel found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that respondent failed to file a land contract forfeiture action or take any other action on his client's behalf; failed to communicate with his client after the date of retention; failed to respond to his client's numerous inquiries; failed to notify his client of his suspension from the practice of law effective April 26, 1995; failed to refund any monies to his client prior to her filing of a Request for Investigation, and as of the date of the disciplinary hearing had refunded only $100 of the $792 paid to him.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4)and(9); MCR 9.119(A); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; and 8.4(a)and(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for sixty days and make restitution to the complainant in the amount of $692 plus interest. Costs were assessed in the amount of $673.36.
NOTE: Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since April 26, 1995.