NOTICE OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION (By Consent)
Case No. 94-224-GA John Graziani, P-43387, Southgate, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #5.
1) Reprimand; 2) Probation - two (2) years; 3) Both effective March 6, 1995.
The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for consent order of discipline pursuant to MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the hearing panel and the Attorney Grievance Commission.
Respondent instituted divorce proceedings on behalf of his client, the plaintiff/husband. He pled no contest to allegations that he told the defendant/wife that it was unnecessary for her to retain counsel to represent her interests in the divorce, thereby imply that he would be looking out for her interest and/or would be dealing fairly with her in the proceedings; entered a default judgment of divorce without first filing a notice of entry of default as required by court rule; and failed to provide notice to the defendant/wife that she was in default and failed to serve her with the default judgment of divorce.
Respondent's conduct was alleged to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 3.1; 3.4(c); 4.3; 4.4; and 8.4(a)-(c).
Costs were assessed in the amount of $116.50.