NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 92-195-GA; 92-227-FA Walter W. Halmagy, P34662, Franklin, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board reducing a hearing panel order of suspension for 180 days.
1) Suspension - 90 days; 2) Effective January 1, 1993. The hearing panel found that respondent was appointed to represent seven separate defendants in criminal appeals, but failed to file claims of appeal or post trial motions; failed to keep his clients reasonably informed concerning the status of their appeals; failed to answer the request for investigation; and failed to answer the first formal complaint.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104 (1-4,7); MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.113(B)(2); the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4; 3.2; 8.1(b); 8.4(a,c); Canons 1, 6 and 7 of the then-applicable Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,5,6); DR 6-101(A)(3); DR 7-101(A)(1- 3); and Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 1981-7, Standards 4, 5, 6, 15 and 17. On November 16, 1992, Tri-County Hearing Panel #64 entered an order suspending respondent's license for a period of 180 days.
Respondent filed a petition for review seeking reduction of the discipline imposed. In an order issued March 2, 1993, the Attorney Discipline Board reduced discipline to a 90-day suspension effective January 1, 1993. Costs were assessed in the total amount of $254.13.
The Grievance Administrator filed an application for leave to appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court seeking reinstatement of the hearing panel decision. That application was denied in an order entered March 31, 1993.