MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DER WIELE CHAIRPERSON LAWRENCE G. CAMPBELL
VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER SECRETARY ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. REV. MICHAEL MURRAY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
JONATHANE.LAUDERBACH BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY
STATE OF MICmGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
211 WEST FORT DETROIT, MICHIGAN PHONE: 313-963-5553
STREET, SUITE 1410 48226-3236 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXEcunVE DIRECTOR WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTYDIRECTOR SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR ALLb~~~b1,tI(J~WRDE OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONlSTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS (By Consent) Case No. 16-12-GA Notice Issued: August 2,2016 Kathleen Howell, P 70129, Warren, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #107.
1. 180 Day Suspension 2. Effective August 1, 2016 The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of discipline in accordance with MCR 9.115(F}(5}, which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. Based on respondent's defaultforfailureto answer the complaint, respondent's admissions, and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that the respondent held funds other than client or third party funds in an IOlTA account, in violation of MRPC 1.15(a}(3}; failed to promptly distribute all portions of property (Le., her earned fees) to which ownership was not in dispute, in violation of MRPC 1.15(c }; failed to hold property of clients or third persons in connection with a representation separate from respondent's own property, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d}; deposited her own funds, including earned fees, in an IOlTA account, in an amount more than reasonably necessary to pay financial institution charges or fees, in violation of MRPC 1.15(f}; and violated MRPC 8.4(a}, MCR 9.1 04(2}, and MCR 9.1 04(4}.
In accordance with the stipulation ofthe parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 180 days. The panel also ordered that the respondent shall resolve the contempt finding issued against her by payment of the court ordered amount of $8,477.93 and costs of $750 through an installment payment plan, or by obtaining a modification/setting aside of the judgment. Costs were assessed in the amount of $964.95.
Mark A. Armitage
Dated: AUiust 2. 2016