NOTICE OF SUSPENSION ADB 96-88 Jonathan M. Tarpinian, P-37029, Detroit, MI, by Attorney Discipline Board Wayne County Hearing Panel #8.
1) Suspension - 30 days; 2) Effective October 26, 1988. Respondent failed to answer the Formal Complaint, but appeared at the hearings in Detroit on June 21, 1988 and September 9, 1988. Respondent's default was entered and the hearing panel determined that the default established the allegations of the Formal Complaint. Respondent was retained in June 1986 to prosecute a claim for wrongful discharge against an employer and instituted suit on the client's behalf, but refused to communicate with his client regarding the status of the case and allowed his client's case to be dismissed with prejudice for no progress. Respondent was retained in May 1986 in a claim for workmen's compensation benefits, filed a petition but failed to appear for trial, failed to communicate with the client and failed to comply with the client's request for a copy of the file. Respondent was retained in March 1987 to obtain a conservatorship for a minor child and accepted a fee of $320.00 for services to be performed, failed to perform any services, failed to communicate with his client and failed to refund the unearned fee. Respondent failed to answer Requests for Investigation in all three of the above cases. Respondent conduct was found to he in violation of MCR 9.104(1-4, 7); MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.113(B)(2); and Canons 1,2, 6 and 7 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,5-7); DR 2- 110(A)(3); DR 6-101(A)(3); and DR 7-101(A)(1-3). The hearing panel ordered Respondent to make restitution of $320.00. Costs were assessed on the amount of $308.69.