NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 97-200-GA; 97-228-FA Sonja J. Branham, P-37754, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #62.
1) Suspension - Four (4) Years; 2) Effective Retroactive to June 13, 1996. The complainant retained respondent to represent her in a divorce matter, and paid respondent a $422 fee. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected the matter; failed to answer the Request for Investigation; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints. Respondent also failed to appear at the disciplinary hearing.
Respondent's conduct violated MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for four years retroactive to June 13, 1996, to run concurrently with the Order of Suspension and Restitution entered in Case Nos. 95-170-GA; 95-187-FA. The panel further ordered that respondent make restitution in the amount of $422. Costs were assessed in the amount $249.16.