NOTICE OF REPRIMAND Case No. 90-86-GA Robert Scott Vanderford, P-31432, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #20.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective April 5, 1995. Respondent was retained to represent a client in a child custody and support matter. The panel found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that respondent failed to appear for a hearing; failed to advise his client to appear for a Friend of the Court interview; and failed to respond to his client's inquiries.
Respondent was retained to represent a client in a divorce matter. The panel found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that respondent failed to enter the judgment of divorce; failed to advise his client of the judgment for costs and attorney fees; and failed to respond to his client's inquiries.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4); Canons 1, 6 and 7 of the then-applicable Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1),(5)and(6); DR 6- 101(A)(3); and DR 7-101(A)(1)-(3); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4(a)and(b); and 8.4(a)and(c).
On March 1, 1993, the panel entered an order of suspension for forty-five days, to be held in abeyance for a period of two years from the effective date of that order. The order further provided that if respondent was not the subject of further public discipline within that two-year period, the order of suspension would be vacated and a reprimand would be imposed.
The two-year period expired on March 23, 1995. On April 5, 1995, the panel entered an order vacating its March 1, 1993 order of suspension and reprimanding respondent. Costs were assessed in the amount of $712.40.