NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 95-31-GA; 95-55-FA William A. Basse, P-29168, Troy, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #58.
1) Suspension - two (2) years; 2) Effective June 21, 1995. Respondent failed to answer the Formal Complaint and failed to appear at the hearing held in Troy on April 27, 1995. Respondent's default was entered, and the panel determined that the default established the allegations of the Formal Complaint.
Respondent was retained to prepare a quit claim deed, but failed to prepare the deed, failed to response to his clients' inquiries or to keep them informed; failed to return the unearned $200 retainer fee; and made a false and misleading statement in his answer to the Request for Investigation.
Respondent was retained to acquire title to property owned by his client's deceased mother, but which his mother had permitted him to use for a number of years. Respondent filed an action on his client's behalf, but failed to file a mediation summary; failed to appear for the mediation hearing; failed to file a response to the defendants' motion for summary disposition; failed to respond to the defendant's motion for sanctions and attorney fees; failed to appear at the hearing for sanctions and attorney fees. As a result of respondent's conduct, sanctions and attorney fees were awarded against his client and himself in the amount of $5,601.85. Respondent also failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
Respondent was retained to seek return of an engagement ring from his client's former fiancee, but failed to communicate with his client or to respond to his inquiries; failed to respond to Attorney Grievance Commission requests for further information or to comply with a subpoena duces tecum.
Respondent was retained to remove fraudulent charges from his client's Visa credit card, but failed to take any action on his client's behalf; abandoned the representation without notification to his client; failed to respond to his client's inquiries; failed to keep his client informed; failed to return the unearned $100 retainer fee; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
Respondent was retained to defend a client in a civil action, but failed to file a witness list; failed to respond to the plaintiff's request for admissions and interrogatories; failed to respond to the plaintiff's motion for summary disposition; failed
to appear at the hearing on the motion for summary disposition; failed to notify his client of abandoning his representation; failed to respond to his client's inquiries; failed to keep his client advised of the status of the matter; failed to advise his client of the judgment entered against him; 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),(6)and(7); MCR 9.113(A)and(B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a)and(c); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.1; 3.2; 8.1(a)and(b); and 8.4(a)and(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for two years and make restitution to three of the complainants in the total amount of $5,901.85. Costs were assessed in the amount of $180.55.