MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DERWIELE CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
211 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1410 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (Pending Appeal)
Case No. 1S-29-GA Notice Issued: October 7,2016 Richard A. Meier, P 38204, Novi, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #80.
1. Suspension - Two Years 2. Effective October 7,2016 Respondent filed an answer to the formal complaint and appeared at the hearing. Based on the evidence presented by the parties at the hearings held in this matter, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in his representation of three separate clients pursuing claims against their respective employers.
The panel found that respondent handled two legal matters without preparation adequate in the circumstances, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (b); neglected three legal matters, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness on behalf of three separate clients, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep three clients reasonably informed as to the status of their legal matters and respond promptly to reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain a legal matter to three separate clients to the extent necessary for the client to make informed decisions, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); and failed to respond to a legally proper discovery request in pretrial procedure in one matter, in violation of MRPC 3.4(d). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(2) and (3) and MRPC 8.4(b).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for two years. The respondent filed a petition for review and a petition for stay on September 27, 2016, seeking a dismissal of the matter or a decrease in discipline imposed. The Board has scheduled a review hearing on December 14, 2016. Respondent's request for a stay pending review remains u~dvisement. Ainte~rim stnay ha~ been granted until further order of the Board. a / v
Mark A. Armitage Dated: October 7,2016