NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS Case Nos. 96-112-AI; 96-178-JC Michael E. Dowdle, P-30366, West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #78.
1) Suspension - Two and One-Half (2 ) Years; 2) Effective May 10, 1996. On May 10, 1996, respondent was convicted in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, by guilty plea, of Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 USC 371, 1341, 1343 and 1346. Respondent was automatically suspended from the practice of law in Michigan effective May 10, 1996, the date of the felony conviction, pursuant to MCR 9.120(B)(1).
The Grievance Administrator thereafter filed a Notice of Filing of Judgment of Conviction with a certified copy of the judgment of conviction pursuant to MCR 9.120(B)(3), which is conclusive proof of the commission of the criminal offense pursuant to MCR 9.120(B)(2). The Attorney Discipline Board then entered an Order to Show Cause directing the respondent to show cause why a final order of discipline should not be entered.
Following hearings conducted pursuant to the Order to Show Cause, the panel entered an order suspending respondent from the practice of law for a period of two and one-half (2 ) years retroactive to May 10, 1996, the effective date of the automatic interim suspension. The panel further ordered that respondent take a legal ethics course prior to filing a petition for reinstatement. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,155.75.