This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the Notice of Discipline seeking a Review Panel reprimand filed against Respondent Michael B. Syrop pursuant to Bar Rule 4-208.1. Syrop acknowledged service of the Notice of Discipline on July 23, 2003, but failed to file a rejection of the Notice within 30 days and, consequently, he is in default, has no right to an evidentiary hearing, and is subject to such discipline and further proceedings as may be determined by this Court, see Bar Rule 4-208 b. We disagree with the State Bar’s recommendation, however, and consequently, impose a more severe discipline.1 In the Notice of Discipline, the State Bar alleged that Syrop violated Rules 1.2; 1.3; 1.4; and 1.16 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, see Bar Rule 4-102 d. According to the Notice, Syrop agreed to represent a client and file a complaint during May 2001, and received a $2,000 retainer in connection therewith. Syrop did not file the complaint until August 2001. When the defendants removed the case to federal court, Syrop failed to inform his client and failed to make mandatory disclosures required by the federal rules. Syrop forwarded to his client discovery requests to which the client responded with what he thought was all the necessary information. Syrop nevertheless failed to respond to the discovery requests or obtain an extension of time, and eventually filed what he acknowledged were incomplete responses, which he failed to supplement. Syrop never informed his client about the discovery dispute and, when he received a motion to compel, sought the client’s permission to withdraw the complaint without prejudice, but the client refused the request. Syrop filed the dismissal without his client’s permission, but failed to obtain a stipulation from the opposing party as required under federal rules. Syrop also filed a motion to withdraw from the case without timely notifying his client pursuant to local rules of procedure and in spite of his client’s objection to the withdrawal. The client responded pro se to a motion for summary judgment, but the court dismissed the case with prejudice for failure to follow the federal and local rules. The client subsequently hired new counsel.
Notwithstanding the State Bar’s recommendation of a Review Panel reprimand, we note in aggravation of discipline that Syrop did not file a timely response to the Notice of Investigation; refused to acknowledge that his inexperience with federal practice and his failure to communicate with his client were at the root of the client’s grievance; and Syrop was the subject of a 1998 Investigative Panel reprimand for abandoning a legal matter and later improperly withdrawing from the case.2 Accordingly, we reject the recommendation of a Review Panel reprimand and hereby order that Syrop be suspended from the practice of law in the State of Georgia for a period of two years from the date of this order.
