NOTICE OF REPRIMAND Case Nos. 92-305-GA; 93-1-FA Irving R. Blum, P-10908, Southfield, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #80.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective May 18, 1993. Respondent failed to answer Formal Complaint 92-305-GA, but appeared at the hearing held in Troy on March 18, 1993. Respondent's default was entered, and the panel determined that the default established the allegations of Formal Complaint 92-305-GA. Formal Complaint 93-1-FA was dismissed.
Respondent's firm was retained to represent the plaintiff in personal injury litigation, and suit was filed on plaintiff's behalf by an associate of respondent's firm. An order was entered dismissing the cause of action because of failure to effect service on the proper defendant.
The panel found that respondent made an untrue statement in his answer to the request for investigation; failed to properly supervise his associate in the handling of the client's case; failed to respond to the client's numerous requests for information concerning the status of her case; failed to ensure that the client's case was properly handled after the associate discontinued employment with the firm; and, failed, upon request, to provide the client with her file.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.103 (C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4); MCR 9.113(A); the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4; 3.2; 5.1; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)(c); and Canons 1, 6 and 7 of the then-applicable Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1),(5)and(6); DR 6-101(A) (3); and DR 7-101(A)(1)-(3). Costs were assessed in the amount of $686.00.