NOTICE OF REPRIMAND
Case No. DP 132/85 Eleanor C. Smith, P-29738, Detroit, Michigan by the Attorney Discipline Board, reducing a Hearing Panel Order of Suspension.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective January 10, 1989. The Respondent was retained to institute a divorce action, but failed to file appropriate pleadings to notify the Court of the birth of her client's child; failed to serve pleadings upon her client's husband; made false statements to the Friend of the Court; filed a second complaint for divorce after the first had been dismissed for lack of progress, even though her client had discharged her by then; and served the second complaint for divorce to her former client's husband improperly. In a small claims action brought against her by this same former client, Respondent failed to appear at a hearing; misrepresented the status of the divorce action in an Affidavit of Meritorious Defense; and failed to inform the court that both of the divorce matters had been dismissed by the Court. Respondent also made false statements to the Attorney Grievance Commission in the process of their investigation. Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1-4, 6) and Canons 1, 2, 6 and 7 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(4-6); DR 2-110(B)(4); DR 6-101(A)(1-3) and DR 7-101(A)(1-3). Cost were assessed in the amount of $899.77.