NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 93-4-GA Bernard Adams, Jr., P-10033, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board increasing a hearing panel suspension of 120 days.
1) Suspension - 180 days; 2) Effective August 10, 1993. Respondent was retained to represent the defendant in civil litigation. Tri-County Hearing Panel #4 found that respondent failed to appear for a settlement conference; failed to advise his client of the entry of a default judgment; failed to timely file a motion to set aside the default judgment; failed to keep his client reasonably informed concerning the status of the matter; and willfully failed to respond to the Grievance Administrator's requests for further information and to cooperate with the Grievance Administrator in its investigation.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)and(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for 120 days and make restitution in the amount of $500.
Respondent filed a petition for review and received an automatic stay of discipline. In an order issued July 19, 1993, the Attorney Discipline Board increased discipline to a 180-day suspension. The Board specifically cited respondent's failure to file the required brief in support of his petition for review, the nature of the misconduct, his prior disciplinary history, and his "persistent failure to comply with his obligations" under the court rules. Respondent filed a motion for reconsideration, which was denied on August 19, 1993. Costs were assessed in the amount of $376.37.
Respondent filed an application for leave to appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court, which was denied in an order dated March 29, 1994.