NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. ADB 150-89 Russell G. Slade, P24726, Ironwood, Michigan and Mesa, Arizona, by the Attorney Discipline Board increasing a hearing panel suspension of 119 days.
1) Suspension - three (3) years; 2) Effective October 22, 1991. The hearing panel determined that respondent had neglected a legal matter entrusted to him by a client and failed to file timely answers to two requests for investigation. In a separate matter, the panel found that respondent was informed of the death of a client whom he was representing in a personal injury case but deliberately failed to disclose that fact to the tribunal in order to gain a tactical advantage. Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104 (1,3,4,7); MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.113; and Canons 1, 6 and 7 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,4-6); DR 6-101(A)(3); DR 7-102(A)(3). On April 11, 1991, Upper Peninsula Hearing Panel #1 entered an order suspending respondent's license to practice law in Michigan for a period of 119 days.
The Grievance Administrator, the respondent and one of the complainants filed petitions for review. In an order and opinion issued September 30, 1991, the Attorney Discipline Board affirmed the findings and conclusions of the panel with regard to the charges of misconduct, but increased the suspension to three years. Costs were assessed in the amount of $986.89.