NOTICE OF SUSPENSION ADB 26-89; 41-89 Reese C. Lenheiser, P-30712, Detroit, MI, by Wayne County Hearing Panel #10.
1) Suspension - thirty days; 2) Effective December 2, 1989. The respondent was retained to represent a client in a civil matter but failed to appear at a scheduled pre-trial conference, failed to advise his clients of any efforts on her behalf, failed to respond to her phone calls or correspondence, failed to withdraw as counsel after his discharge and failed to release his client's file upon demand. Respondent also failed to answer a Request for Investigation and the formal complaint. The panel denied the respondent's oral request to set aside the default. After considering his testimony in mitigation, the panel imposed a suspension of thirty days. The 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 Canons 1, 2, 6, 7 and 9 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,5,6); DR 2-110(B)(4); DR 6-101(A)(3); DR 7-101(A)(1-3) and DR 9-102(B)(4).
The respondent filed a petition seeking review by the Attorney Discipline Board pursuant to MCR 9.118. The respondent's failure to file a brief as ordered and his failure to appear at the scheduled review hearing resulted in the Board's order dismissing the petition for review. Costs were assessed in the amount of $428.50.