NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 94-4-GA; 94-24-FA; 94-45-GA Stephen A. McBride, P-44753, Sturgis, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Berrien County Hearing Panel.
1) Revocation; 2) Effective May 17, 1994. Respondent failed to answer the Formal Complaints and failed to appear at the hearing held in St. Joseph on April 7, 1994. Respondent's defaults were entered, and the panel determined that the defaults established the allegations of the Formal Complaints.
Respondent was retained to prepare a will and received a $55 fee, but failed to prepare the will; failed to advise his client as to the status of her matter; failed to refund the unearned fee; and failed to answer two Requests for Investigation.
Respondent was retained to collect $10,000 for roofing work his client had performed, and received fees and costs in the amount of $542, but failed to take appropriate action to process the cause of action; failed to keep his client advised of the status of the matter; failed to refund the unearned fee; 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 1.1(a)-(c); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)and(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license be revoked and that he make restitution to his clients in the total amount of $555. Costs were assessed in the amount of $200.39.
NOTE: Respondent's license to practice law in Michigan has been suspended continuously since March 11, 1994.