NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS Case Nos. 95-239-GA; 95-263-FA Don C. Thigpen, P-46040, Oak Park, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #64.
1) Suspension - 180 days; 2) Effective March 5, 1996. Respondent was retained to represent a client at hearings related to two separate traffic violations and was paid a $250 retainer on each case, for a total fee of $500. The panel found, by default, that respondent failed to appear for one hearing; failed to communicate with his client; failed to refund $250 to his client, although he agreed to do so; and made a false statement in his answer to the Request for Investigation. Respondent also failed to answer a separate, unrelated Request for Investigation and failed to answer the Formal Complaint.
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(B)(3); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5(a); 1.15(b); 3.2; 8.1(a)and(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for 180 days, subject to conditions including continuing legal education in law office management and professional responsibility, and restitution in the amount of $500. Costs were assessed in the amount of $266.57.