NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 00-150-GA Notice Issued: December 28, 2000 Karen R. Hammond a/k/a Karen R. Hammond-Nash, P-40878, South Bend, Indiana, by the Attorney Discipline Board Kalamazoo County Hearing Panel #3.
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Suspension - 180 days.
Effective May 7, 2001
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The hearing panel found, by default, that respondent had committed professional misconduct, specifically: In a civil matter, respondent failed to file an answer on behalf of her client causing a default to be entered against him; failed to advise her client that she had not filed an answer to the complaint; failed to respond to numerous inquiries from her client regarding the status of his matter; failed to file a motion to withdraw from representation; and abandoned her representation. Respondent also failed to file an answer to the request for investigation served by the Grievance Administrator. Respondent=s conduct was in violation of MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.113(B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a)-(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent=s license be suspended for 180 days. Respondent was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $150.00 plus interest. Costs were assessed in the amount of $233.76.
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since November 9, 2000. See Notice of Suspension and Restitution dated November 9, 2000.