NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 91-102-GA; 91-128-FA Sherman Sharpe, Jr., P32766, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #20.
1) Suspension - nine (9) months; 2) Effective November 8, 1991. Respondent failed to answer the formal complaints and failed to appear at the hearing held in Detroit on August 26, 1991. Respondent's defaults were entered and the panel determined that the defaults established the allegations of the formal complaints.
Respondent was retained to represent a client in a personal injury action, but failed to file an amended complaint as order by the court; failed to keep his client informed concerning the status of the matter; and failed to answer the request for investigation.
Respondent was retained to institute divorce proceedings and filed a complaint for divorce on his client's behalf, but failed to prosecute the divorce case; failed to keep his client informed concerning the status of the matter; and failed to submit a response to a requests for additional information by the Attorney Grievance Commission.
Respondent was retained to represent a client in a divorce case, but failed to appear for a settlement conference; failed to advise his client of a.scheduled court hearing; failed to file an objection to the default judgment of divorce; failed to keep his client informed concerning the status of the matter; and failed to answer the request for investigation.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104 (1-4,7); MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.113(B)(2); 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 the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, 1.1(b,c); 1.3; 1.4(a,b); 8.1(b); 8.4(a,c). The panel ordered respondent to make restitution to two of his clients in the total amount of $840.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $258.08.