NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITIONS Case No. 95-52-GA Thomas R. Koopman, P-30995, Bridgeport, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Bay County Hearing Panel.
1) Suspension - 120 days; 2) Effective July 18, 1995. Respondent was retained to represent a client in a shareholder's derivative action, and filed an action in Macomb County Circuit Court. The court issued a order setting a date for a mediation hearing. Pursuant to that order, respondent was required to submit a $75 mediation fee and file a mediation summary. The panel found, by default, that respondent failed to pay the mediation fee; failed to file a mediation summary; failed to appear for the mediation hearing, causing the matter to be dismissed; failed to take any action to reinstate the case; failed to keep his client informed concerning the status of the matter; failed to respond to his client's inquiries; made false representations to his client; failed to refund the unearned $1,000 retainer fee; failed to comply with his client's requests for the return of his client file; failed to file a timely answer to the Request for Investigation; and made false statements in his answer to the Request for Investigation.
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)(2) and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5(a); 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 3.4(c); 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 120 days, make restitution to the complainant in the amount of $1,000, and enroll in a professional responsibility course at an accredited law school. Costs were assessed in the amount of $311.19.