NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 92-315-GA R. Earl Selby, P-30058, Bay City, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board modifying the effective date of a hearing panel Order of Suspension.
1) Suspension - thirty (30) days; 2) Effective April 8, 1994. Respondent failed to answer the Formal Complaint but appeared at the hearings held in Flint on February 8, May 10, September 21, and December 1, 1993. Respondent's default was entered, and the panel determined that the default established the allegations of the Formal Complaint.
Respondent was retained by the plaintiff/wife to represent her in a divorce action, and instituted an action on his client's behalf, but failed to notify his client of scheduled court hearings; failed to keep his client reasonably informed concerning the status of the matter; and failed to answer the 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 1.4(a)and(b); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)and(c).
Genesee County Hearing Panel #1 ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for thirty days. Respondent filed a timely petition for review, creating an automatic stay of discipline. On June 3, 1994, the parties filed a stipulation withdrawing respondent's petition for review in exchange for modification of the effective date of the thirty-day suspension to run concurrently with the thirty-day suspension issued in Case No. 93-7-GA. (See Notice of Suspension dated April 11, 1994.)
Costs were assessed in the amount of $696.55.