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 DER WIELE MICHAEL MURRAY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
STATEOFMICIDGAN 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. MIFSLlD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR JENNIFER M. PETTY PARALEGAL
KATHLEEN PHILLIPS CASE MANAGER ALLY SON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST
FINAL NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 14-76-GA Notice Issued: December 2,2014
Robert Joseph Payne, P 69779, Lansing, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #3.
1. Suspension - One Year 2. Effective December 2,2014 1 Respondent did not appear at the hearing and was 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 respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to seek his client's lawful objectives through reasonably available means permitted by law, in violation of
MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing his client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to adequately communicate with his client, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a) and (b); failed to refund an unearned fee upon termination of the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); and failed to answer a request for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MCR 9.1 13(B){2). The panel further found that respondent violated MRPC 8.4(a) and (c) and MCR 9.104(1)-(4).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for one year and that he pay restitution in the amount of $250.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,806.69.
~9~ Mark A. Armitage D
Dated: _D_EC_-_2_2_1_'4_ _
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since March 12, 2014: Please see Notice of Suspension and Restitution issued March 14,2014.