NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 95-39-GA; 95-58-FA Louise Bacon, P-41086, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #27.
1) Suspension - three (3) years; 2) Effective July 6, 1995. Respondent failed to answer the Formal Complaint, but appeared at the hearing held in Detroit on May 4, 1995. Respondent's default was entered, and the panel determined that the default established the allegations of the Formal Complaint.
Respondent was appointed to represent a defendant in an appeal of two separate criminal convictions, but failed to file an application for leave to appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals in either case; failed to communicate with her client or respond to his inquiries concerning the status of his cases; failed to promptly inform her client of her inaction to allow him to seek other counsel in a timely fashion; and failed to withdraw from the representation or take any other reasonable steps to protect her client's legal rights.
Respondent was appointed to represent another defendant on appeal from a criminal conviction, but failed to visit her client or to consult with him prior to submitting a brief to the Court of Appeal on his behalf; failed to respond to her client's inquiries concerning the status of his matter; failed to notify her client of the Court's decision on his appeal or to advise him of his right to pursue further appellate review; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
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); 1.16(d); 3.2; 3.4(c); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)and(c).
Costs were assessed in the amount of $177.14.