NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 91-177-GA Alvin L. Keel, P-23104, Bingham Farms, Michigan by the Attorney Discipline Board affirming a hearing panel order of suspension.
1) Suspension - three years; 2) Effective February 16, 1993. Respondent was retained to probate estates of two deceased children and to institute wrongful death proceedings on behalf of the father of the children. The hearing panel found that respondent misappropriated the proceeds of one wrongful death settlement check; failed to deposit the other settlement check into a client trust account; failed to maintain the funds in a trust account pending the probate court's approval as to the disposition of the funds; failed to promptly pay to the mother of the children the funds to which she was entitled; failed to file timely accountings in the estates; failed to file prompt petitions for authority to accept wrongful death settlement; and failed to promptly close the estates.
Respondent was retained by another client to prosecute police brutality litigation. The panel found that respondent failed to appear for a scheduled hearing in the district court.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1-4); the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.15 (a,b); 1.16(a)(1); 8.4(a,c); and Canons 1, 2, 6, 7 and 9 of the then-applicable Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,3-6); DR 2-110(B)(2); DR 6-101(A) (1-3); DR 7-101(A) (1-3); DR 9-102(A)and(B)(4).
The Grievance Administrator and respondent filed petitions for review seeking modification of the hearing panel order of suspension. In an order issued January 25, 1993, the Attorney Discipline Board affirmed the hearing panel order. Respondent filed a motion for reconsideration and stay of discipline, which was denied by the Board in an order issued February 19, 1993. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2000.14.