TALLAHASSEE — Attorney Richard Shant Norsigian of Royal Oak, Michigan, has been suspended following a Nov. 8 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations stemming from two client matters, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Norsigian failed to provide the services for which he was retained or to communicate with the client," the state bar said in its Dec. 27 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order. "He also failed to respond to bar inquiries regarding the client's grievance. In a second matter, Norsigian failed to advance the client's matter, effectively communicate with the client or to respond to the bar inquiries regarding the grievance."
In its two-page order, the high court approved the uncontested referee's report filed in the matter before suspending Norsigian for 91 days and ordering him to pay about $1,464 in costs.
Norsigian was still under a suspension handed down by the high court earlier this year, which means Norsigian's suspension was effective immediately.
Florida court orders are not final until time to file a rehearing motion expires. Filing such a motion does not alter the effective date of Norsigian's suspension.
Norsigian was admitted to the bar in Florida on Oct. 4, 2007, according to his profile at the state bar website.
Norsigian currently is the subject of two disciplinary matters before the state bar, according to the consent judgment filed with the court. The judgment also includes Norsigian's conditional guilty plea.
In February, Norsigian was found in contempt and suspended following state Supreme Court order after he failed to respond to an official inquiry. In that order, Norsigian was indefinitely suspended until he complies with the state bar's written enquiries.
In the current matter, Norsigian waived his right to a final hearing and stipulated to allegations that he failed to final a legal action on behalf of one client and that he didn't return the client's telephone calls or emails, according to the consent judgment. In the other client matter, Norsigian stipulated to having failed to advance the client's personal injury matter or to timely provide updates to the client.
Norsigian also stipulated to having failed to timely respond to the state bar's inquiries.