NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 96-45-GA; 96-71-FA Jeffry R. Jurmu, P-28412, Escanaba, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Upper Peninsula Hearing Panel #1.
1) Suspension - three (3) years; 2) Effective June 13, 1996. Respondent was retained to handle a client's divorce and draft his will. Respondent was entrusted with $13,000 by his client and his client's son, to be held in trust for his client. The panel found, by default, that respondent commingled and misappropriated the $13,000 and knowingly made a false statement in his answer to the Request for Investigation.
Respondent's client died shortly thereafter, and respondent was retained by his client's son to probate the estate of his late father. A will contest was filed by the decedent's wife and daughter. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected the contested probate estate matter; knowingly made a false statement to the probate court and opposing counsel; and, following his discharge, failed to turn over his client's complete file upon demand. Respondent also 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),(6)and(7); MCR 9.113(A); and the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 1.15(a)and(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 3.3(a)(1),(2)and(4); 3.4(b)and(c); 8.1(a); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for three years and make restitution to the estate in the amount of $13,000 plus interest. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,193.66.