NOTICE OF REPRIMAND AND RESTITUTION Case No. 92-98-GA A. David Laudani, P-16446, Eastpointe, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board modifying a hearing panel order of reprimand.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective October 17, 1992. The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed petitions seeking review of a hearing panel order of reprimand.
Respondent was retained by a client to commence the probate of her mother's estate and to prepare and file all documents necessary to the timely administration of the estate and to generally represent her in the matter. The Attorney Discipline Board affirmed the panel's findings that respondent failed to file any accountings in the estate or to otherwise timely administer the estate; and failed to keep his client informed concerning the status of the estate. The Board reversed the panel's finding that the respondent had knowingly made a false statement to the probate 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); 1.3; 1.4(a); 3.2; 8.4(a,c) ; and Canons 1, 6 and 7 of the then- applicable Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,4-6); DR 6-101(A)(1-3); DR 7-101(A)(1-3).
The reprimand imposed by the panel was affirmed by the Board and the respondent was ordered to make restitution to the estate for any penalties and interest assessed against the estate as the result of the late filing of inheritance taxes, in an amount to be determined. Costs for the hearing panel proceedings were assessed in the amount of $938.25. Costs for the review proceedings will be assessed in a separate order.