NOTICE OF REPRIMAND AND RESTITUTION
(By Consent)
Case No. 23-66-GA
Notice Issued: February 22, 2024
Richard G. Kessler, P 34755, Grand Rapids, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Kent County Hearing Panel #1
Reprimand, Effective February 15, 2024
Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. The stipulation contained the parties’ agreement to dismiss paragraphs 27(a) and (d)-(h) and 55(a) and (d)-(h) of the formal complaint. The stipulation also contained respondent's no contest plea to the factual allegations and grounds for discipline set forth in the remaining paragraphs of the formal complaint, namely that respondent committed professional misconduct during his representation of two clients in immigration matters.
Based upon respondent's no contest plea and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; and failed to adequately keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the panel ordered that respondent be reprimanded and that he pay restitution totaling $15,130.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $759.97.