NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 92-274-GA; 92-293-FA Case Nos. 92-281-GA; 92-301-FA
Christopher Grierson, P-39026, Saginaw, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Midland County Hearing Panel #1.
1) Suspension - 90 days; 2) Effective September 25, 1993. Respondent failed to answer the formal complaints, but appeared at the hearing held in Midland on March 29, 1993. Respondent's defaults were entered, and the panel determined that the defaults established the allegations of the formal complaints.
Respondent was retained to represent the defendant in several matters and was paid a $150 retainer fee. Respondent failed to file an appearance in any of the lawsuits; failed to file responsive pleadings; failed to take any action to negotiate and/or resolve the pending matters; falsely informed his client that he had sent letters to opposing counsel; falsely informed his client that he had commenced settlement negotiations with opposing counsel; failed to refund the unearned retainer; knowingly made a false statement in his answer to the request for investigation; and, failed to respond to the Attorney Grievance Commission's written requests for information.
Respondent was retained to institute proceedings for slander and breach of contract, and was paid a $100 retainer fee, but failed to institute any proceedings on his client's behalf; failed to refund the unearned retainer; and, failed to answer the request for investigation.
Respondent was appointed by the Saginaw County Probate Court to represent a woman whose parental rights had been terminated by that Court, but failed to file an appeal or to take any other action on his client's behalf; made false statements to the Court regarding the status of the matter; failed to comply with an Attorney Grievance Commission Subpoena Duces Tecum; made false statements in his answer to the request for investigation; and, failed to respond to the Commission's request for additional information.
Respondent was retained in a divorce action, but after the entry of the divorce judgment, he failed to provide a copy to his client; failed to respond to his client's requests for copies of the divorce judgment; failed to file with the Register of Deeds, or provide to his client, a completed quit claim deed which had been signed by his client's ex-wife pursuant to the divorce judgment;
failed to respond to the inquiries of his client after the entry of the divorce judgment; 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),(6)and(7); MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.113(B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.5(a); 1.15(b); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
On April 26, 1993, Midland County Hearing Panel #1 entered its order of suspension. The respondent filed a timely petition for review, which triggered the automatic stay provisions of MCR 9.115(K). On September 3, 1993, the Attorney Discipline Board entered an order dismissing respondent's petition for review for his failure to file the required brief. The suspension is deemed to be effective September 25, 1993.