MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DER WIELE CHAIRPERSON LAWRENCE G. CAMPBELL VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER SECRETARY ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. MICHAEL MURRAY
JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY
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
JENNIFER M. PETTY PARALEGAL
ALLY SON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITION Case No. 14-4-GA Notice Issued: March 23, 2016 Thomas H. Stidham, P 56504, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #16.
1. Suspension - 30 Days 2. Effective March 19, 2016 Respondent filed an answer to the formal complaint and appeared at the hearings. Based on the testimony and evidence submitted, the hearing panel found that respondent, in his representation of a client in a civil action, committed the following professional misconduct: neglected his client's legal matter, in violation ofMRPC 1.1 (c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness on his client's behalf, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to deposit a legal fee paid in advance into a client trust account, in violation of MRPC 1.15(g); failed to refund an unearned attorney fee paid in advance, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); engaged in conduct which exposed the legal profession to obloquy, contempt, censure, and/or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.1 04(2); and, engaged in conduct which was contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 90 days. Respondent filed a timely petition for review and stay of discipline. The Attorney Discipline Board granted the stay of discipline and the matter was scheduled for review. On December 7, 2015, the Board issued its order vacating the panel's finding that respondent violated MRPC 1.1 (c) and affirmed the panel's findings that respondent violated MRPC 1.3; 1.15(h); and 1.16(d); and MCR 9.104(2) and (3). The Board also reduced the discipline from a 90-day suspension to a 30-day suspension and added a condition relevant to the established misconduct. Respondent filed a motion for reconsideration which was denied by the Board on February 19, 2016. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $2,924.53.
~~aW2:;) M~rk A. Armitage
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