NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS Case No. 95-249-GA Karen E. Werme, P-37016, Kalamazoo, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Kalamazoo County Hearing Panel #3.
1) Suspension - one (1) year; 2) Effective April 23, 1996. Respondent was retained to file a civil action concerning a sexual assault which took place on a college campus. The panel found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that respondent neglected the matter; made a false representation to her client; failed to comply with her client's requests for her file; failed to keep her client reasonably informed; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation. 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)and(7); MCR 9.113(A)and(B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.15(b); 8.1(b) and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for one year, subject to conditions relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $557.19.
NOTE: Respondent has been suspended from the practice of law in Michigan continuously since October 26, 1995.