NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 94-124-GA; 94-147-FA Charlie C. Taylor, P-38673, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #29.
1) Suspension - one (1) year; 2) Effective December 8, 1994. Respondent failed to answer the Formal Complaints and failed to appear at the hearing held in Detroit on October 18, 1994. Respondent's defaults were entered, and the panel determined that the defaults established the allegations of the Formal Complaints.
Respondent was retained to represent a criminal defendant in post-conviction proceedings, but failed to pursue an appeal; failed to undertake promised action; failed to conduct a promised prison visit; failed to communicate with his client; knowingly made false statements to his client's representative; failed to turn over the client file upon demand; failed to refund the unearned $500 fee; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
Respondent was retained to represent a client in federal litigation which was pending on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals, but failed to file an appearance, resulting in dismissal of the appeal; failed to take any other action in the federal appeal matter; pursued relief on his client's behalf in the U.S. Merit System Protection Board and in the Office of Special Counsel, although these agencies lacked subject matter jurisdiction; failed to advise his client of the withdrawal of the action he filed in the Merit System Protection Board; failed to take further action on his client's behalf; failed to communicate with his client or to respond to her numerous inquiries; knowingly made a false statement to his client; failed to promptly turn over his client file upon demand; and failed to refund the unearned $3,500 fee.
Respondent failed to answer a separate, unrelated Request for Investigation.
Respondent's conduct was found 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(a)-(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 4.1; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for one year and that he make restitution to his clients in the total amount of $4,000. Costs were assessed in the amount of $177.55.
NOTE: Respondent's license to practice to law in Michigan has been suspended continuously since November 29, 1993.