NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION
(By Consent)
Case No. 23-92-GA
Notice Issued: October 4, 2024
Gregory A. Bell, P 61658, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Suspension - Three Years, Effective October 2, 2024
Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Second Amended Stipulation for Consent Order of Three-Year Suspension, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by Washtenaw County Hearing Panel #3. The second amended stipulation contained respondent’s admissions to the factual allegations and allegations of professional misconduct set forth in the formal complaint, namely that respondent committed professional misconduct during his handling of a client’s probate court case and for mishandling funds provided to his office by his client with the intent that respondent would safeguard the funds until he completed future legal work.
Based upon respondent’s admissions and the parties’ second amended stipulation, the panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c) [Counts One and Two]; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, in violation of MRPC 1.3 [Count One]; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a) [Count One]; failed to safeguard client funds deposited in his IOLTA, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d) [Count Two]; failed to refund unearned fees, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d) [Count One]; failed to supervise a nonlawyer assistant and give reasonable assurances that the nonlawyer assistant's conduct is compatible with the lawyer's professional obligations, in violation of MRPC 5.3 [Count Two]; engaged in conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice, in violation of MCR 9.104(1) [Counts One and Two]; engaged in conduct that exposes the legal profession or the courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2) [Counts One and Two]; and, engaged in conduct that is contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3) [Counts One and Two].
The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for three years, effective October 2, 2024, 2024, and that respondent pay restitution totaling $20,000.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,064.52.