NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 94-190-GA Marvin L. Berris, P-10751, Southfield, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #66.
1) Suspension - ninety (90) days; 2) Effective January 1, 1995. Respondent was retained to handle a workers' compensation case. He admitted that he failed to file a petition for benefits on his client's behalf; failed to communicate with his client regarding the status of her matter; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
Respondent was retained by a woman to file a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of her minor daughter. He admitted that he failed to communicate with the mother concerning the status of the case and the disbursement of settlement proceeds; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
Respondent admitted that he failed to answer two other Requests 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(c); 1.2; 1.3; 1.4(a); 3.2; 8.1(b) and 8.4(a)and(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for a period of ninety days retroactive to January 1, 1995, to run concurrently with the ninety-day suspension imposed in Case No. 94-6-GA. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,336.64.
NOTE: Respondent has been suspended from the practice of law in Michigan continuously since April 6, 1994.