On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, the Attorney Discipline Board of the State of Michigan issued a Notice of Suspension and Restitution relating to the charges of attorney discipline against Detroit attorney Deborah A. Bonner for professional misconduct.

The case was brought by the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, Case No, 22-70-GA.

The charges cited Rules 1.1(c), 1.2(a), 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 3.2, and 8.4(c) of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct.

The Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

The disciplinary matter was previously scheduled for hearing on November 3, 2022, however, Ms. Bonner failed to appear despite proper notice. For this reason, the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #14 ordered her interim suspension on November 10, 2022.

Ms. Bonner was deemed in default in accordance with the Michigan Court Rules because she did not show up for the hearing on November 3, 2022.

Following the proceedings, the panel found that Ms. Bonner had violated the above-cited rules of professional conduct. Ms. Bonner was found to have neglected her client’s divorce case, failed to competently and diligently pursue her client’s interest, and that she failed to respond to her client’s requests for information regarding the case. She was further found to have ceased all contact with her client after July 26, 2021, and abandoned her client’s cause.

Accordingly, the hearing panel ruled against Ms. Bonner and ordered her suspension from the practice law in Michigan for 180 days, effective March 4, 2023.

Ms. Bonner was further ordered to pay restitution in the total amount of $1,500.00, as well as the costs in the amount of $926.63.

The Notice of Suspension and Restitution reads:

“Deborah A. Bonner, P48031, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #14

Suspension-180 Days, Effective March 4, 2023”

Ms. Bonner practices in Detroit, Michigan. She has been admitted to the Michigan bar in 1993. Her info can be found on Avvo.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.