NOTICE OF SUSPENSION ADB 264-88; 3-89 James W. Lang, P-16393, Davison, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Bay County Hearing Panel.
1) Suspension - sixty days; 2) Effective September 27, 1989. The respondent failed to timely answer the formal complaints, but appeared at the hearings held in Bay City on June 8, 1989 and June 29, 1989. Respondent's motion to vacate the defaults was denied, and the hearing panel determined that the defaults, as well a preponderance of the evidence, established the allegations of the formal complaints. Respondent was retained to represent a client regarding a claim involving a purchase of an automobile and was paid a retainer of $75, but failed to keep his client reasonably advised of his efforts, moved from his office without advising his client, failed to refund the client's retainer or perform any services on his behalf, and failed to answer the request for investigation. Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.103(B)(2); MCR 9.104(1-4,7); and Canons 1, 2, 6 and 7 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,5,6); DR 2-110(A)(3); DR 6-101(A)(3) and DR 7-101(A) (1-3). Costs were assessed in the amount of $1066.17.