NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 94-193-GA; 94-218-FA Ruth E. Johnson, P-39361, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #11.
1) Suspension - sixty (60) days; 2) Effective August 23, 1995. Respondent was retained to assist a client in obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy for a drug rehabilitation center. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected the matter; failed to respond to her client's inquiries or to keep her client reasonably informed; failed to refund the unearned retainer fee or to release the client's file upon request; failed to answer the Request for Investigation; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints. 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; 1.5(a); 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)and(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for sixty days, to be held in abeyance for one year subject to the certain conditions. The panel further ordered that if respondent complied with the terms of the order and engaged in no further acts of misconduct, the order of suspension would be vacated and respondent would be reprimanded. The order further provided that upon the filing of a petition by the Grievance Administrator that respondent was not in compliance with the terms of the order, respondent would be ordered to show cause why the sixty-day suspension should not be implemented. The Grievance Administrator subsequently filed a Motion for Immediate Entry of the 60 Day Suspension, alleging that respondent failed to comply with the conditions in the order. No response was filed by respondent. The panel concluded, by majority, the Grievance Administrator's motion should be granted and the sixty-day suspension should be implemented. Costs were assessed in the amount of $374.49.
NOTE: Respondent has been suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since June 13, 1995, for her failure to pay the costs assessed in this matter. [MCR 9.128]