NOTICE OF REVOCATION Case Nos. 95-15-GA; 95-24-FA James M. Cohen, P-12017, Southfield, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #51.
1) Revocation; 2) Effective May 27, 1995. Respondent failed to answer the Formal Complaint and failed to appear at the hearing held in Bloomfield Hills on March 10, 1995. Respondent's default was entered, and the panel determined that the default established the allegations of the Formal Complaint.
Respondent was retained to represent a defendant in the appeal of a criminal conviction, but failed to file a Claim of Appeal; failed to take any other action on his client's behalf; failed to adequately communicate with this client; failed to render an accounting of the $500 fee received from his client; failed to refund the unearned portion of that fee; and agreed to represent the client and accepted the fee during a period when he was suspended from the practice of law.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4)and(9); MCR 9.119(A),(B)and(E); MCL 600.916; and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4; 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 5.5(a); and 8.4(a)-(c).
In its determination of the level of discipline, the panel considered the respondent's extensive disciplinary record. Costs were assessed in the amount of $134.06.
NOTE: Respondent has been suspended from the practice of law in Michigan continuously since October 6, 1992.