NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 90-19-GA; 90-35-FA Dennis A. Morrissey, P-17998, Owosso, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #70.
1) Suspension - 180 days; 2) Effective May 12, 1990. The respondent failed to answer the formal complaints and failed to appear at the hearing held in Birmingham on March 22, 1990. Respondent's default was entered and the hearing panel determined that the default established the allegations of the formal complaint.
Respondent was retained to probate the estate of a decedent and was paid a retainer fee of $500, but failed to perform any services on his client's behalf, failed to respond to his client's inquiries, abandoned the cause of action without notice to his client, failed to return the will and other documents to his client, failed to refund the retainer fee, 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 9.103(C); MCR 9.113(B)(2); and Rules 1.1(a-c); 1.3(a); 1.15(b); and 8.4(a,c) of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct.
The hearing panel ordered the respondent to make restitution to his client in the amount of $500. Costs were assessed in the amount of $190.78.