NOTICE OF SUSPENSION ADB 58-88; 113-88 Michael G. Sewell, P-28999, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Appleton, Wisconsin, by the Attorney Discipline Board affirming a hearing panel order of suspension.
1) Suspension - 120 days; 2) Effective November 4, 1988. The Respondent failed to answer the formal complaints and did not appear at the hearing in Southfield on June 6, 1988. Respondent's default was entered and the hearing panel determined that the default established professional misconduct in regard to count III of Formal Complaint 58-88 and count I of Formal Complaint 113-88. Respondent failed to answer a request for investigation. The hearing panel dismissed Counts I and II of Formal Complaint 58-88. 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 Canon 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A) (1,5,6). Costs were assessed in the amount of $160.86.
Upon consideration of the Grievance Administrator's petition for review, the Board affirmed the 120 days suspension but reversed the hearing panel's dismissal of counts I and II of Formal Complaint 58-88 which alleged that the respondent failed to institute proceedings on his client's behalf, failed to communicate with his client, and failed to appear for a scheduled hearing. Respondent's conduct in these counts was found to be in violation of Canons 6 and 7 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 6-101(A)(3) and DR 7-101(A)(1-3), in addition to violations stated above.