NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 93-9-GA; 93-28-FA Donald L. Sugg, P-38874, Saginaw, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board affirming a hearing panel order of suspension.
1) Suspension - three years; 2) Effective February 12, 1992. Respondent failed to answer the formal complaint and failed to appear at the hearing held in Midland on March 16, 1993. Respondent's default was entered, and the panel determined that the default established the allegations of the formal complaint.
Respondent instituted an action to Quiet Title, but failed to take any action to advance his clients' cause of action; failed to answer the legitimate inquiries of his clients or subsequent counsel as to the status of the matter; failed to appear for a pretrial conference or to advise his clients he would not be present at the conference; failed to advise his clients of his failure to further prosecute the matter and/or their need to obtain substitute counsel to represent them; failed to notify his clients and the tribunal of his suspension from the practice of law; failed to file an affidavit of compliance with MCR 9.119; and, failed to answer the request for investigation.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104 (1)-(4),(7)and(9); MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.113(B)(2); MCR 9.119(A)-(C); and the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4; 3.2; 8.1(b) and 8.4(a)and(c).
Midland County Hearing Panel #2 ordered a three-year suspension of respondent's license, retroactive to the effective date of his first suspension, February 12, 1992.
The Grievance Administrator filed a petition seeking review of the retroactive effective date of the suspension. In an order issued July 21, 1993, the Attorney Discipline Board affirmed the hearing panel order of suspension.
Costs were assessed in the amount of $240.73