NOTICE OF REVOCATION Case Nos. 91-201-GA; 91-253-FA E. Frank Cornelius, P24397, Duluth, Georgia (formerly of Washtenaw County, Michigan), by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #62.
1) Revocation; 2) Effective December 29, 1992. Respondent failed to answer Amended Formal Complaint 91-201-GA, and failed to appear at the hearing held in Rochester on September 9, 1992. Respondent's default was entered, and the panel determined that the default established the allegations of Amended Formal Complaint 91-201-GA.
Respondent represented himself as a plaintiff in a lawsuit in Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Respondent thereafter retained counsel and a Judgment of No Cause and order to Pay Costs were subsequently entered against him. Respondent, again representing himself, applied for Leave to Appeal and filed a brief with the Michigan Court of Appeals.
The panel found that the respondent violated his duties as an attorney and officer of the court as follows: In a brief filed under respondent's signature in the Michigan Court of Appeals, respondent included statements prejudicial to the administration of justice regarding the trial judge and opposing counsel; the statements were of a harassing and malicious nature; respondent had no reasonable basis upon which to believe the statements; the subject brief is replete with statements that are undignified and/or discourteous as well as degrading to the tribunal; and, respondent knew, or should have known, that the accusations made against the judge were false.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104 (1-4); the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, 3.1; 8.4(a-c); and Canons 1, 7 and 8 of the then-applicable Code of Professional Responsibility, DR-102(A)(1,4-6); DR 7-102(A)(1,5); DR 8-102(B). Costs were assessed in the amount of $264.02.