NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION
(By Consent)
Case No. 23-60-GA
Notice Issued: August 22, 2024
George W. Hyde, P 46885, Marquette, Michigan
Suspension - 60 Days, Effective August 22, 2024
Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline pursuant to MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. The factual allegations set forth in paragraphs 29, 41, and 46, and the allegations of professional misconduct contained in subparagraphs 47(d), (f), (g), (k), and (l) of Count One of the formal complaint were dismissed. Count Two of the formal complaint was dismissed in its entirety. Paragraphs 5, 7, 11, 13, 14, 18, 21, 26, 28, 30, and 40 in the formal complaint were amended as provided in the stipulation. Respondent pled no contest 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 a client in a civil matter.
Based upon respondent’s no contest plea and the stipulation of the parties, the Upper Peninsula Hearing Panel #2 found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to 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); failed to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of the client, in violation of MRPC 3.2; having direct supervisory authority over a nonlawyer, failed to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the person's conduct was compatible with the professional obligations of the lawyer, in violation of MRPC 5.3(b); engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or violation of the criminal law, where such conduct reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b); and engaged in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of MCR 9.104(1).
The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law be suspended for 60 days, effective August 22, 2024, and that respondent pay restitution totaling $2,085.00, which sum was paid by respondent prior to the filing of the stipulation for consent order of discipline. Costs were assessed in the amount of $929.00.