NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 93-179-GA; 93-195-FA Sonja J. Branham, P-37754, Detroit and Bingham Farms, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board reducing a hearing panel order of suspension for 120 days.
1) Suspension - sixty (60) days; 2) Effective May 14, 1994. Respondent failed to answer the formal complaints and failed to appear at the hearing held in Southfield on October 18, 1993. Respondent's default was entered, and the panel determined that the default established the allegations of the formal complaint.
Respondent was suspended from the practice of law in Michigan from February 6, 1992 to May 17, 1993, for non-payment of her annual dues to the State Bar of Michigan. During that period of suspension, respondent accepted the representation of an individual who was charged with the unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle, unarmed robbery and assault, and accepted a $2,350.00 fee for her legal services in this regard.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4)and(9); MCR 9.119(E); MCL 600.916; and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.16(a)(1); 5.5(a); and 8.4(a)-(c).
Tri-County Hearing Panel #76 ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 120 days. Respondent filed a petition for review. In an order and opinion issued April 22, 1994, the Attorney Discipline Board reduced discipline to a sixty-day suspension commencing May 14, 1994.
Costs were assessed in the amount of $245.34.