NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 90-30-GA Arthur C. Kirkland, Jr., P-27551, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #27.
1) Suspension - 119 days; 2) Effective September 6, 1990. The hearing panel found that the Grievance Administrator proved by a preponderance of the evidence the alleged misconduct of Counts I, II, III, IV and VI of the formal complaint. Counts V and VII were dismissed.
Respondent represented a client in a civil action, but failed to respond timely to discovery, failed to appear for a deposition, failed to appear for a settlement conference, failed to file a written response or appear for a hearing on a motion, and failed to advise the insurance carriers of the claim. Respondent represented a client in another civil action, but failed to appear for trial, failed to advise his client of a trial date, failed to advise his client of a default judgment, and failed to advise the insurance carrier of the claim. Respondent represented a client in a separate action, but failed to respond timely to interrogatories, failed to appear for the final settlement conference, failed to appear for trial, failed to advise his client of a trial date, failed to advise his client of a default judgment, and failed to advise the insurance carriers of the claim. Respondent represented defendants in an action, but failed to respond timely to interrogatories, failed to comply with a court order, failed to appear for a deposition, failed to comply with a discovery order, failed to advise his clients of a default judgment, and failed to advise the insurance carriers of the claim. Respondent represented a client in an action, but failed to respond interrogatories, failed to respond to appear for the hearing on a motion, failed to appear for a creditors exam, and failed to advise the insurance carriers of the claim.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1-4) and Canons 1, 6 and 7 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,5,6); DR 6-101(A)(3); and DR 7-101(A)(1-3). Costs were assessed in the amount of $1063.10.