MEMBERS LAWRENCE G. CAMPBELL
VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER
SECRETARY ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. LOUANN VAN DER WIELE MICHAEL MURRAY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
STATE OF MICIDGAN
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 KATHLEEN PHILLIPS CASE MANAGER
ALLY SON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT AND RESTITUTION Case No. 15-47-GA Notice Issued: November 18, 2015 Edward L. Johnson, P 54646, Birmingham, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #64.
1. Disbarred 2. Effective November 18, 20151 Respondent failed to appear at the hearing and the panel suspended his license, effective July 17, 2015, pursuant to MCR 9.115(H)(1). Respondent was also found to be in default for his failure to file an answer to the formal complaint. Based on respondent's default, the hearing panel found that he violated an order of discipline, contrary to MCR 9.104(9); failed or refused to appear or give evidence, to be sworn or affirmed, or to answer a proper question after being ordered to do
so, in violation of MCR 9.112(D)(2); failed to notify all active clients in writing of the suspension of his license to practice law, in violation of MCR 9.119(A); failed to notify all tribunals and parties in litigated matters of the suspension of his license to practice law, as well as withdraw, in violation of MCR 9.119(B); failed to file proof of compliance with MCR 9.119, in violation of MCR 9.119(C); practiced law following the suspension of his license to practice law, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(1); had contact with clients following the suspension of his license to practice law, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(2); held himself out as an attorney following the suspension of his license to practice law, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(4); neglected two legal matters, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to
seek the lawful objectives of his clients through reasonably available means permitted by law and the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness on behalf of clients, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep
his clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters and to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to take reasonable steps to protect his clients' interests upon termination of representation, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); practiced law in a jurisdiction in violation of the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction, contrary to MRPC 5.5(a); failed to respond to lawful demands for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); and violated or attempted to violate the rules of professional conduct, contrary to MRPC 8.4(a).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent be disbarred from the practice of law in Michigan and that he pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $3,030.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,882.96.
~C)~ Dated: NOV 1 8 2015
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since October 24,2012. Please see Notice of Suspension (Pending Appeal), issued October 29,2012.