NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (By Consent)
ADB 134-89; 151-89 Leo C. Gilhool, P-27184, Garden City, Michigan by Attorney Discipline Board Wayne County Hearing Panel #2.
1) Suspension - six months; 2) Effective November 23, 1992. The respondent and Grievance Administrator entered into a Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5). The Stipulation was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and a hearing panel which accepted his plea of no contest to the following charges of misconduct: that he failed to further his client's lawful objectives during post-judgment proceedings in a divorce case and failed to communicate adequately with his client; continued in his representation of his client despite his suspension from the practice of law and failed to send written notice of his suspension to his active clients; prejudiced a client by failing to file suit within one year following the denial of insurance benefits pursuant to MCLA 500.3145(1); settled a claim on behalf of a client without the client's prior authorization; prejudiced his client by failing to appear for a hearing on his client's motion for summary disposition in a civil case; and failed to answer two Requests for Investigation.
The respondent's conduct was alleged to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1-4,7,8); MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.113(B)(2); Canons 1, 6 and 7 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,5,6); DR 6-101(A)(3) and DR 7-101(A)(1-3) and Rules 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.16(d) and 8.4(a,c) of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct.
In a prior disciplinary matter, the respondent's license to practice law in Michigan was suspended for a period of four years effective November 23, 1988 (see notice of suspension dated July 24, 1989, ADB 155-88). The Stipulation approved in this matter calls for an additional suspension of six months to run consecutively with respondent's current suspension. Costs were assessed in the amount of $78.20.