NOTICE OF SUSPENSIONS AND PROBATION (By Consent)
Case Nos. 94-226-GA; 95-45-GA Leonard M. Mazor, P-31020, Southfield, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #73.
1) Two concurrent one-year suspensions; Effective April 20, 1995.
2) Probation - one year; Effective upon reinstatement.
The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed two stipulations for consent order of discipline pursuant to MCR 9.115(F)(5), which were approved by the hearing panel and the Attorney Grievance Commission.
Formal Complaint 94-226-GA Respondent was retained on a contingency fee basis to represent a client in a civil case, and filed an action in the Wayne County Circuit Court. He pled no contest to allegations that he failed to enter into a written fee agreement; failed to obtain service of the complaint on one defendant; failed to file a required witness list; failed to file an answer to motion for summary disposition filed by the second defendant; failed to promptly advise his client of the dismissal of her claims against the first defendant or to timely inform her that the court had granted the second defendant's motion for summary disposition; and failed to respond to his client's inquiries.
Respondent was retained to represent a client in claims arising from an accident in which the client was struck by a bus. He pled no contest to allegations that he failed to timely notify the potential defendant of his representation of the client; failed to furnish a list of witnesses and medical information to the potential defendant upon request; failed to take any other action on his client's behalf and permitted the statute of limitations to expire on his client's claims; and failed to respond to his client's inquiries. Respondent was retained to represent the same client in claims arising from a motor vehicle accident. He pled no contest to allegations that he failed to file suit on his client's behalf after the insurance company denied his claim; failed to inform his client that his claim had been denied by the insurance company; failed to respond to his client's inquiries; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
Formal Complaint 95-45-GA
Respondent was retained to represent a client in an employment discrimination matter and commenced suit on his client's behalf in the Wayne County Circuit Court. He pled no contest to allegations that he failed to appear at a settlement conference; failed to file an answer to the defendants' motion for summary disposition; failed to take any action to have the case reinstated after it was dismissed; failed to respond to his client's inquiries; and failed to keep his client informed concerning the status of the case.
Respondent's conduct was alleged to be in violation of MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4)and(7); MCR 9.113(A)and(B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5(c); 3.2; 3.4(c); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)and(c).
The parties stipulated that the respondent receive two concurrent one-year suspensions, one for each Formal Complaint, and be placed on probation for one year following his reinstatement to the practice of law. Costs were assessed in the amount of $80.02.
NOTE: Respondent has been suspended from the practice of law in Michigan continuously since November 3, 1994.