MEMBERS JAMES M. CAMERON, JR. CHAIRPERSON LAWRENCE G. CAMPBELL VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER
SECRETARY ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D.
SYLVIA P. WHITMER, Ph.D LOUANN VAN DERWIELE MICHAEL MURRAY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
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
KATHLEEN PHILLIPS CASE MANAGER ALLY SON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITIONS (Pending Appeal)
Case No. 14-105-GA Notice Issued: March 18, 2015 Donna L. Jaaskelainen, P 49751, Calumet, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Upper Peninsula County Hearing Panel #1.
1. Suspension - 179 Days 2. Effective March 18, 2015 Respondent appeared at the hearing but was in default because she failed to file an answer to the formal complaint. Based on respondent's default, the hearing panel found that she neglected three legal matters, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to seek the lawful objectives of her clients, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep her clients reasonably informed of the status of their matters, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain the matters to her clients to the extent necessary for the clients to make informed decisions regarding their representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); and failed to answer three requests for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.113(A) and MRPC 8.1 (a)(2). In two of the three matters, respondent failed to surrender papers the clients were entitled to receive, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); and, in one of those two matters, respondent failed to promptly render a full accounting of client funds upon request, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(3); and failed to refund the unearned portion of an advance fee, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d). The panel also found that respondent violated MRPC 8.4(a) and (c) and MCR 9.104(1)-(4).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 179 days and that she pay $2,000.00 in restitution and be subject to conditions relevant to the established misconduct. The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review, seeking an increase in discipline, and this matter will be scheduled for hearing before the Attorney Discipline Board.
Mark A. Armitage
Dated: _
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