NOTICE OF SUSPENSION ADB 127-89; 145-89 Ronald R. Ward, P-29707, Hartford, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Berrien County Hearing Panel.
1) Suspension - 180 days; 2) Effective April 10, 1990. The respondent failed to answer the formal complaint but appeared at the hearing held in St. Joseph on October 13, 1989. Respondent's default was entered and the hearing panel determined that the default, as well as the respondent's admissions, established the allegations of the formal complaint.
The respondent was retained to institute adoption proceedings and was paid a $200.00 retainer, but failed to file any proceedings or take any action on behalf of his client, falsely represented to his client that he had instituted proceedings and that the court had entered orders of adoption, failed to answer the request for investigation, failed to notify his client that he had been suspended from the practice of law (Case No. ADB 200-87; 209-87), continued to hold himself out as an attorney after the effective date of his suspension, and continued to advise his client concerning legal matters while suspended.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1-4,7,9); MCR 9.113(A); MCR 9.113(B)(2); MCR 9.119; MCR 9.123(B); MCLA 600.916; Canons 1, 6 and 7 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,3-6); DR 6-101(A)(3); DR 7-101(A)(1-3); and MRPC 8.4(a,c). Costs were assessed in the amount of $366.36.