NOTICE OF REPRIMAND AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 93-102-GA Michael B. Batchelor, P-38765, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #18.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective May 27, 1994. 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 was retained to represent a client on traffic matters pending in District Court. He pled nolo contendere to allegations that he failed to appear on his client's behalf at a hearing, which resulted in the issuance of a bench warrant against his client; failed to perform the services for which he was retained; failed to notify his client that he was relocating his office or to provide him with his new telephone number; failed to respond to his client's inquiries or to otherwise keep his client informed concerning the status of his matter; and failed to refund the unearned retainer fee upon demand.
Respondent's conduct was alleged to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5(a); 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; and 8.4(a)-(c).
Respondent agreed to make restitution to his client in the amount of $533.50. Costs were assessed in the amount of $341.64.