NOTICE OF INCREASED SUSPENSION Case No. 94-200-GA Julian M. Levant, P-16592, Southfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board increasing Tri-County Hearing Panel #71's Order of Suspension for thirty (30) days.
1) Suspension - two (2) years; 2) Effective July 28, 1995. Respondent was retained to defend a client in land contract forfeiture proceedings. The panel found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that respondent neglected the matter; failed to maintain over $1,800, entrusted to him as an escrow agent, in trust; misappropriated the funds; failed to comply with his client's demand for prompt, full restitution; knowingly made a false statement in his answer to the Request for Investigation; and knowingly made false statements in an interview conducted in the course of the Attorney Grievance Commission's investigation. Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4); MCR 9.113(A); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4; 1.15(a)-(c); and 8.1(a)and(b). On July 6, 1995, the panel entered an order of suspension for thirty days.
The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review. Respondent did not file a petition for review or request for stay of discipline, and the suspension was deemed to be effective July 28, 1995. On January 18, 1996, the Attorney Discipline Board entered an order and opinion increasing the suspension to two years commencing July 28, 1995. Respondent filed a motion for reconsideration, which was denied by the Board in an order entered February 16, 1996.
Respondent filed an application for leave to appeal, which was denied by the Michigan Supreme Court in an order entered November 22, 1996. Costs were assessed in the total amount of $1,717.66.