NOTICE OF REPRIMAND Case No. 91-151-GA Thomas H. Bleakley, P23892, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #24.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective June 8, 1992. The hearing panel found that the allegations contained in Count Two of the Formal Complaint were established by a preponderance of the evidence. Count One was dismissed by a majority vote.
Respondent was retained to prosecute a products liability lawsuit. He sent a letter to his client in which he failed to advise her that her lawsuit had been dismissed with prejudice. In the same letter, he went on to ask permission of his client to dismiss her lawsuit voluntarily. The letter constituted a misrepresentation to his client, in that respondent knew but failed to advise his client that her lawsuit had already been dismissed with prejudice.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104 (1-4); and the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, 1.4(a,b); 8.4(a-c). Costs were assessed in the amount of $1359.00.