NOTICE OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION (By Consent)
Case No. 91-190-GA James J. Owens, P33843, Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Kent County Hearing Panel #1.
1) Reprimand; 2) Probation - one year; 3) Both effective February 9, 1993. The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for consent order of discipline pursuant to MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the hearing panel and the Attorney Grievance Commission. Respondent admitted the allegations of professional misconduct contained in the formal complaint.
Respondent was appointed through the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System to represent 26 separate defendants for the appeal of criminal convictions but, in all 26 cases, failed to file any motions in the trial court on behalf of his clients; failed to file claims of appeal on behalf of his clients; and failed to communicate with his clients, and further failed to communicate with the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System concerning the matters.
Respondent's conduct was admitted to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1-4); Canons 1, 6 and 7 of the former Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,5,6); DR 6-101(A)(3); DR 7-101(A) (1- 3); and the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.3; 3.2; 8.4(a,c). Costs were assessed in the amount of $292.48.